Reconstructed paleogeography of the Mediterranean region through some transects in agreement with the two-step scenario of the MC (Clauzon et al., 1996, 2005; Bache et al., 2012, 2015; Gorini et al., 2015; Popescu et al., 2015, 2021; Haq et al., 2020). a, Location of the transects. b, Present-day bathymetry along a longitudinal transect and three transverse transects. c–i, Environmental changes in the Mediterranean (bathymetry, deposition, erosion) from 6.00 to 5.45 Ma through four similar transects: c, 6.00 Ma: before the MC onset; d, 5.85 Ma: first step of the MC (peripheral evaporites); e, 5.64 Ma: high sea level closing the first step of the MC (LM 1); f, 5.60 Ma: beginning of the second step of the MC (subaerial erosion, deposition of detritic cones); g, 5.55 Ma: ongoing second step of the MC (central evaporites); h, 5.50 Ma: end of the second step of the MC (slow sea-level rise, marine abrasion surface, transfer of Aegean waters into the Mediterranean: LM 2); i, 5.45 Ma: after the catastrophic marine reflooding (edification of Gilbert-type fan deltas, LM 3).

Paléogéographie méditerranéenne reconstituée à travers quelques transects conformément au scénario en deux temps de la Crise messinienne.