Online Lecture: The Story of the Mediterranean — A Sea That Nearly Dried Up

The captivating, sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea attract visitors from far and wide. But you might be surprised to learn that it once nearly dried up. Join geologist and researcher Daniel Horns on an exploration of the Mediterranean. Examine the clues pointing to what this sea was really like five million years ago when the water level was thousands of feet lower than it is today — leaving the 10,000-foot-deep basin nearly dry and more closely resembling a sweltering basin of salt flats and hypersaline lakes. Discuss evidence such as thick salt deposits beneath the floor of the Mediterranean, salt rock exposed along the shorelines of southern Europe and the “Grand Canyon of the Nile” — a now-buried river canyon more than 5,000 feet deep.

Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.