Reconstructing the Emerged Areas of the Mediterranean During the Last Glaciation Using Bathymetric Data

Abstract

During the last glacial phase, a long and cold period lasting about 105,000 years, the sea level changed in response to climatic variations. However, the position of the sea level cannot be uniquely identified and may vary depending on the duration and intensity of the cold stages within the isotopic subperiods. In this study, we applied a method that integrates a sea-level curve covering the entire glacial period with a high-resolution digital elevation model of the entire Mediterranean Sea. The results demonstrate that the shape of the Mediterranean coastlines varied widely over time, with some areas experiencing minor changes while others, such as the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Strait of Sicily, underwent substantial modifications that resulted in the emergence of large territories for extended periods.