Messinian Stage

The Messinian Stage (7.3-5.3 Ma) is the sixth and last age in the Miocene, occurring before Zanclean (Pliocene), and after the Tortonian.

Geologic Age

  • 7.246–5.333 million years ago

Eon / Era / Period / Epoch

What happened during this time?

  • The Mediterranean Sea dried out, becoming more saline, from 5.96 to 5.33 Ma

    • This is known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis