Beneath the Mediterranean Sea, large deposits of salt and layers of wind-deposited sand dating from around 6 million years ago are present. Which of the following would you conclude based upon this information?

A) Sand and salt have blown into the Mediterranean Sea from the surrounding desert areas.

B) The Mediterranean Sea was once deeper than at present, depositing large amounts of salt and layered sand.

C) The Mediterranean Sea once evaporated, leaving behind large salt deposits and creating a desert-like environment of wind-blown sands.

D) The environment within the Mediterranean Sea has not changed from 6 million years ago to today.

Option (C)

Explanation:

The Mediterranean Sea is a large sea that lies between the continent of Eurasia and Africa. It is mainly covered by the landmass on all sides and is connected to the Atlantic ocean. There occurs extensively large deposits of salts and wind-driven sands and these are dated and found to be of about 6 million years old.

About 6 million years back, the Mediterranean Sea had undergone a very high rate of evaporation, in comparison to the amount of inflow of water into it through any of the passages such as Gibraltar straight. This resulted in the complete dry-up of the sea, leaving behind the large deposits of salt and desert type of environment.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).