Persistent Holocene outflow from the Black Sea to the eastern Mediterranean Sea still contradicts the Noah's Flood Hypothesis: A review of 1997–2021 evidence and a regional paleoceanographic synthesis for the latest Pleistocene–Holocene

This review and synthesis weaves various multiproxy data into a single coherent narrative for the latest Pleistocene–Holocene paleoclimatic paleoceanographic evolution of Black Sea, Marmara Sea Aegean Sea. narrative, referred to as “Outflow Hypothesis” rests on several key observations interpretations which are incompatible with suggestion that post-LGM reconnection basin global ocean occurred catastrophic flood. The widespread occurrence sub-storm-wavebase uppermost Pleistocene lower Holocene sediments across southwestern shelf at elevations shallow −78 m shows level Neoeuxine Lake (today's Sea) between 12.3 cal ka 9.5 was high enough spill outward over sill in southern Strait Bosphorus (−37 today). Southwest-prograded clinoforms immediately south strait northeastern record development an early (11.1–10.2 ka) mid-shelf delta (Δ1) showing ~3.3 km aggressive progradation while its topset-to-foreset break climbed 8–9 rising A streamlined south-prograded barform throat giant megaflutes along thalweg confirm vigorous outflow from required explain climbing Δ1 lobe. Multiproxy shelves indicate post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) eastern Mediterranean gradual fashion: first, ~10.2 ka, salt wedge lifted brackish off floor terminating progradation; second, more persistent density underflow introduced seawater strontium be taken up mollusc shells by ~9.5 finally range euryhaline marine organisms replaced lacustrine faunas when salinity levels became favourable ~7.5 ka. onset sapropel M1 deposition followed breach Dardanelles 13.8 when, originally suggested other researchers, nutrient-rich highly saline waters forced relict surface then out through Dardanelles, initiating water-column stratification. Once low-salinity cap expelled, deep fully remained stagnant accumulation continued. 11.1 re-established stratification, induced effective circulation created low lid northern S1 area.