Sea-level change in southern Africa since the Last Glacial Maximum

Sea-level change around southern Africa (southern Namibia, South Africa, southern Mozambique) since TerminationI has been quantified using a variety of indicators. Existing and new data are reviewed to provide a baseline for futurestudies and identify key research needs and opportunities in the region. While the southern African records broadlyagree with other far-field records, detailed Holocene records present as-yet unresolved discrepancies with glacialisostatic adjustment (GIA) model predictions. Two domains, the west coast and east coast are considered.Radiocarbon dated saltmarsh facies and marine shells in life position provide the basis for the west coast sea-levelcurve back to 9 cal. ka BP. Given the age and elevation uncertainties, a Mid-Holocene highstand of +2 to +4 m issuggested between 7.3 and 6 cal ka BP as are several Late Holocene oscillations of < 1 m amplitude. On the eastcoast, fewer data are available for the Mid to Late Holocene (post 7 cal. ka BP) compared to the west, but manysubmerged indicators are available back to 13 cal. ka BP. Reappraisal of existing data suggests a sea-level curvesimilar to that of the west coast. In both instances, the resolution of existing sea-level index points is neither sufficientto accurately constrain the magnitude and timing of the peak highstand nor the existence of minor inferred subsequentoscillations. Between 13 and 7 cal ka yr BP chronological and geomorphological evidence (submerged shorelinecomplexes) suggest several alternating periods of slow and rapid sea-level change. Despite abundant data, theindicator resolution to quantify these changes remains elusive.