PARATETHYS SEA Meaning and
Definition
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The Paratethys Sea was a large, ancient body of water that existed during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, between approximately 25 to 2 million years ago. It was a shallow epicontinental sea, essentially a semi-enclosed body of water bordered by landmasses, and it acquired its name due to its geographic position adjacent to the more famous Tethys Sea. The Paratethys Sea was located in what is now Eastern Europe and Western Asia, covering areas that include present-day countries such as Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, and Iran.
During its existence, the Paratethys Sea experienced significant fluctuations in its size due to various tectonic and climatic factors. It was connected to the global ocean through narrow straits that allowed for the exchange of water, nutrients, and marine species. The sea was characterized by its brackish or saltwater conditions and featured a diverse range of marine life, including various mollusks, crustaceans, and fishes.
The Paratethys Sea played a crucial role in the dispersal and evolution of biota across the region, serving as a bridge between the Mediterranean Sea and the vast Eurasian landmass. Its geological and paleontological records provide valuable insights into the Earth's history, climate change, and the adaptation of marine life. Over time, however, the Paratethys Sea gradually regressed and eventually disappeared due to tectonic movements and changes in the Earth's global climate, leaving behind fossil-rich sediments that are now studied by scientists and paleontologists to unravel the mysteries of this ancient sea.
Etymology of PARATETHYS SEA
The term "Paratethys Sea" is derived from two components: "Para" and "Tethys Sea".
1. "Para" comes from the Greek word "παρά" (para), which means "beside" or "alongside".
2. "Tethys Sea" refers to the former Tethys Ocean, which existed from the late Paleozoic to the early Cenozoic era. The Tethys Ocean was named after the Greek Titaness Tethys, the daughter of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth) in Greek mythology. Tethys was known as the mother of rivers, as she was believed to be the source of all the world's freshwater rivers.
Hence, the term "Paratethys Sea" was coined to describe an extensive inland sea that existed during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.
