The Messinian Salinity Crisis was caused by the isolation of the Mediterranean Sea
Multiple geological and isotopic studies support the conclusion that the Messinian Salinity Crisis was driven by the restriction and isolation of the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
The retrieved papers consistently describe the Messinian Salinity Crisis as resulting from the hydrological restriction or isolation of the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean, causing massive evaporite deposition and sea-level drawdown. Therefore, the claim is supported by the evidence.
Julien Gargani, Christophe Rigollet. Mediterranean Sea level variations during the Messinian salinity crisis. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007gl029885
The paper notes that the Mediterranean Sea became progressively isolated during the Messinian salinity crisis, leading to large water level fluctuations.
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Aloisi G, Moneron J, Guibourdenche L, Camerlenghi A, Gavrieli I, Bardoux G, Agrinier P, Ebner R, Gvirtzman Z. Chlorine isotopes constrain a major drawdown of the Mediterranean Sea during the Messinian Salinity Crisis.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53781-6
This study highlights hydrological restriction from the Atlantic Ocean as the mechanism that transformed the Mediterranean Sea into a giant saline basin during the crisis.
García-Castellanos D, Heida H, Palcu DV, Bulian F, Sierro F. Kilometric sea level changes during the Messinian salinity crisis caused by river erosion and climate.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads9752
The work reiterates that the Messinian salinity crisis was triggered by a period of isolation of the Mediterranean Sea.
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