The Messinian Stage (7.3-5.3 Ma) is the sixth and last age in the Miocene, occurring before Zanclean (Pliocene), and after the Tortonian.
7.246–5.333 million years ago
Phanerozoic; Cenozoic; Neogene; Miocene
The Mediterranean Sea dried out, becoming more saline, from 5.96 to 5.33 Ma
This is known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis