Ancient 'fossil groundwater pool' found beneath Sicilian mountains

A "fossil groundwater pool" containing 4.2 cubic miles of fresh water has been discovered deep beneath the Hyblean Mountains in Sicily, Italy. The water, trapped underground during the Messinian salinity crisis 6 million years ago, became sealed off from the Mediterranean Sea by sediments and mineral deposits. Researchers believe the water could potentially alleviate water scarcity in Sicily and hope the discovery will inspire further exploration of deep groundwater reserves in other parts of the Mediterranean.