Messinian
1. The final age in the Miocene Epoch, preceded by the Tortonian, followed by the Zanclian (Tabianian), and with its upper boundary dated at 5.2 Ma ( Harland et al., 1989).

2. The name of the corresponding European stage, which is roughly contemporaneous with the upper Mohnian and lower Delmontian (N. America), upper Tongaporutuan and lower Kapitean (New Zealand), and part of the Mitchellian (Australia). The neostratotype is found between Caltanisetta and Enna, Sicily. It is an important stage, marked by the presence of thick evaporite deposits in the Mediterranean. These may indicate that the Straits of Gibraltar were closed approximately 6.5–5.1 Ma ago and that the Mediterranean was reduced to a series of evaporite basins.

Messinian An important stage of the Late Miocene, marked by the presence of thick evaporite deposits in the Mediterranean. These may indicate that the Straits of Gibraltar were closed approximately 6.5–5.1 Ma ago and that the Mediterranean was reduced to a series of evaporite basins.

Messinian An important stage of the Late Miocene, about 7.2–5.3 Ma ago, marked by thick evaporite deposits in the Mediterranean, suggesting the Straits of Gibraltar were closed and the Mediterranean was reduced to a series of evaporite basins.