KAUST researchers discovered that the Red Sea experienced a massive disruption 6.2 million years ago, completely transforming its marine life. During this period, the Red Sea shifted from being linked to the Mediterranean to becoming a desolate salt basin. In the south of the Red Sea, near the Hanish Islands, a volcanic ridge separates the sea from the Indian Ocean. Why the Red Sea Matters GeologicallyThe Red Sea formed by the separation of the Arabian Plate from the African Plate beginning 30 million years ago. It also maintains KAUST’s leading position in Red Sea research,” said co-author KAUST Professor Abdulkader Al Afifi.