Talk:No Mediterranean Sea

Lowered ocean floor (rift)
I have run some figures, and it would be impossible for the ocean floor to rise because of even the greatest of earthquake activity. However, if the Azores-Gibralta rift caused a great trough into the Atlantic Ocean - one which was deeper than the Mediterranean - then the Western Mediterranean would drain. Hypothetically, the ridge could give way to some volcanic upthrust, causing a new mountain range between Gibralta and the Azores, but that is far less likely than a great ridge causing a drain to the deep of the Atlantic.

Here are two maps that illustrate this:

With this change, much of your scenario would unfold as you have it. The rivers widening and such are a problem to be dealt with later, but I believe there would be a definite weather change in the region. SouthWriter 21:31, February 20, 2011 (UTC)