Huge flood plumes carrying organic material entered the eastern Mediterranean around 12-13,000 years ago, forming sapropelic mud layers (rotten mud) when fresh water sat atop saltier Mediterranean water. These anoxic bottom conditions prevented biodegradation of organic material. Multiple sapropel episodes indicate periodic massive floods as wadis fed enormous amounts of water into the Nile during these events. These catastrophic floods likely correspond to the Younger Dryas period when Africa's climate was dramatically different from today.
Sapropel layers in eastern Mediterranean record catastrophic Nile floods
Key facts
- Huge flood plumes of organic material entered eastern Mediterranean around 12-13,000 years ago
- Sapropelic mud layers (rotten mud) formed due to fresh water lid on salt water
- Anoxic bottom conditions prevented biodegradation of organic material
- Multiple episodes of sapropel formation indicate periodic massive floods
- Wadis fed enormous amounts of water into the Nile during these events
- These floods likely correspond to Younger Dryas period and different African climate
Sources
randallcarlson.com
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