Severe late Miocene droughts affected western Eurasia

A large and highly dynamic aquatic system called Paratethys governed important elements of the middle late Miocene (15.97–5.33 Ma) hydrology in western Eurasia. So far, impact vast water body on Eurasian climate, however, is not yet understood. Here we apply biomarker analyses coupled to compound-specific hydrogen carbon isotope data track changes sea surface temperature, mean annual air hydrological budget vegetation reconstruct long-term climate conditions between 12.7 7.65 Ma Black Sea region. Biomarker from Panagia (Russia) indicate presence three exceptionally evaporative intervals peaking at 9.65, 9.4 7.9 Ma. These peaks evaporation relate aridity, parallel increasing fire activity are associated with vegetation. Carbon pollen support evidence an increase C4 plants these dry intervals. At 9.66 Ma, alkenone producing algae appear basin thrive for subsequent two million years. Cumulative fluctuations both temperature might have enhanced rainfall seasonality Eurasia as a response over basin. Our combined suggest strong regional imprint overall patterns, dominated by dynamics causing volume reduction. Collectively, presented results provide severe droughts affecting circum-Paratethys region, leading direct evolution biota its surroundings.