2025-10-08T08:29:09Z

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Imagine an ocean completely drying up—this isn't a plot twist from a sci-fi novel, but a jaw-dropping reality revealed by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). About 6.2 million years ago, the Red Sea faced a dramatic transformation, drying up entirely only to be filled again by a cataclysmic flood from the Indian Ocean. This astonishing finding sheds light on a pivotal moment that reshaped the region’s geological landscape.

Using advanced seismic imaging, microfossil analysis, and geochemical dating techniques, the KAUST researchers unearthed compelling evidence that this environmental upheaval unfolded in just a blink of an eye, roughly 100,000 years. The Red Sea transitioned from being a conduit to the Mediterranean to a desolate, salt-laden basin before an immense flood burst through volcanic barriers, reopening the Bab el-Mandab strait and reestablishing its connection with the world's oceans.

“Our findings show that the Red Sea basin records one of the most extreme environmental events on Earth, when it dried out completely and was then suddenly reflooded about 6.2 million years ago,” noted lead author Dr. Tihana Pensa from KAUST. This dramatic flood not only transformed the basin but also revived marine conditions, solidifying the Red Sea's ongoing bond with the Indian Ocean.

Historically, the Red Sea was linked to the Mediterranean via a shallow sill in the north. When this connection was severed, the sea withered into a barren landscape. To the south, a volcanic ridge kept it isolated from the Indian Ocean. But then, around 6.2 million years ago, a forceful surge of seawater crashed across this barrier, carving out a remarkable 320-kilometer-long submarine canyon still discernible on the seafloor today. This rapid influx of water not only filled the basin but also revived the once-thriving marine ecosystem in under 100,000 years, preceding the famous Zanclean flood that rejuvenated the Mediterranean.

Understanding the geological significance of the Red Sea is crucial. Formed from the separation of the Arabian Plate from the African Plate around 30 million years ago, the sea was originally a narrow rift valley filled with lakes before evolving into a wider gulf. For a period, it was a rich marine habitat, as evidenced by fossil reefs along its northern coast. However, rising salinity levels—exacerbated by evaporation and poor seawater circulation—led to a mass extinction of marine life between 15 and 6 million years ago, culminating in its complete desiccation. Yet, the cataclysmic flood from the Indian Ocean marked a rebirth, restoring life and vibrant coral reefs that we still see today.

Ultimately, the Red Sea serves as a unique natural laboratory for unraveling the mysteries of ocean formation, the accumulation of salt giants, and the interplay between climate and tectonic activity over epochs. This groundbreaking discovery not only illuminates the rich history of the Red Sea but also underscores its vital connection to global oceanic changes. “This paper adds to our knowledge about the processes that form and expand oceans on Earth, maintaining KAUST's leading status in Red Sea research,” remarked co-author Professor Abdulkader Al Afifi.