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Geological changes in the Mediterranean: What happened to the flood millions of years ago?
The Mediterranean Sea, a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, has undergone dramatic changes in the deep geological era. About 5.9 million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea was disconnected from the Atlantic Ocean. This historical event is called the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The history of partial or complete drying up of the sea during this period has triggered extensive research by geologists and archaeologists. .
This geological event had a profound impact on the Mediterranean ecosystem and changed the development of coastal civilizations.
After about 600,000 years of drought, water levels in the Mediterranean began to rise again in a process known as the Zancrine Flood. This drastic change has a significant impact on the surrounding civilizations. As the water level rose, the Mediterranean was no longer an isolated body of water, but became a route to promote trade and cultural exchange, through which countless merchants and travelers communicated and interacted at sea.
The ancient Egyptians, Minoans, and other ancient civilizations built prosperous societies around these bodies of water. The Mediterranean Sea was even called "Our Sea" (Mare Nostrum) by the ancient Romans, which shows its economic and cultural importance at the time. However, as society changed, the records of this sea area also changed. Various civilizations recorded the Mediterranean Sea as having names ranging from "the great sea" to "the inland sea".
The changes in the ocean not only affect the natural environment, but also shape the development of human culture along the coast.
The average depth of the Mediterranean Sea today is 1,500 meters, and the deepest point is over 5,000 meters deep. This body of water is not just a geographical entity, but also a cultural treasure trove covering countless historical stories. From commercial trade to warfare, the history of interaction is amazing.
In the Middle Ages, with the collapse of the Roman Empire, control of the Mediterranean was transferred to the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and the Arab Empire. This period was not only a geopolitical struggle, but also a peak of cultural exchange. Arab merchants brought new crops and technologies to the region, enriching the ecology and culture of the Mediterranean coast.
Such cultural exchanges have contributed to the diversity and richness of every nation along the Mediterranean coast.
During the period of the Crusades, trade between Europe and the Near East flourished again, and cities such as Venice and Genoa became busy trading hubs. It is worth noting that trade during this period was not just about material transportation, but also included the exchange of ideas and technology, which further promoted the advent of the Renaissance.
With the advent of the Age of Exploration, the Mediterranean trade routes also faced new challenges, and their intersection with the global trade network caused them to gradually lose their central position. Yet, this ocean remains a theatre of war and peace between nations, and its importance cannot be ignored. Especially in the 19th century, when the Suez Canal was opened, the Mediterranean Sea once again became an important transportation route connecting Europe and Asia.
Such changes are constantly promoting population mobility and cultural integration.
In the 21st century, the Mediterranean has once again become a hotspot for humanitarian crises. The Mediterranean has been described as a "graveyard" as large numbers of asylum seekers cross the sea. As governments face humanitarian challenges that cannot be ignored, the debate over how to balance national security and humanitarian responsibilities continues to heat up.
From a geographical perspective, the story of the Mediterranean is a vivid interweaving of geology and history. Now recalling the changes and development of this sea area, we can't help but ask: How will the future of this ocean affect the destiny of mankind and the progress of culture?
