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http://hdl.handle.net/1834/450
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| Title: | Late Weichselian to Holocene Evolution of the Maputo Bay, Mozambique |
| Authors: | Mugabe, J.
Achimo, M.
Cuamba, F.
Haldorsen, S. |
| ASFA Terms: | Geology |
| Issue Date: | 2001 |
| Abstract: | During the Quaternary the volume of the world’s oceans fluctuated, with sea level
falls as the water has been incorporated into polar and high latitude ice sheets, and sea
level rise as these have subsequently melted. Sea-level lowstands were therefore
related to the Pleistocene glaciations, while high-stands correlate with interglacials. In
general the climate variations in Africa shows a simple relation: Cold or cool climates
are associated with dry episodes and warm climates are associated with wet episodes.
This applies to the major Milankovich driven glacials and interglacials, as well as to
short-lived intervals related to sun spot activities. The reconstruction of palaeoshorelines
in the Maputo Bay, and the climate around the Maputo Bay is based on
bathymetric maps. At about 18,000 yr BP (-130 meters sea level) the Maputo Bay was
located in an inland position. As the sea level rose to about 20 m below present
around 9000 - 10000 years BP, a barrier island complex developed in the northern
coast, which is well defined by 20 m contour palaeoshoreline. The Maputo Bay is
only formed around 8000 – 9000 years BP (when the sea level was 10 to 12 m below
the present, and it was a long lasting still stand sea level. A huge island was protecting
the bay from the sea. Tidal inlet and its associated ebb delta were separating the
island from the peninsula in the south and were connecting the lagoon into the sea.
The complete picture of Maputo Bay patterns with its modern sedimentary
environments including Inhaca Island may have evolved when the sea level has stood
close to its present level around 7000 – 5000 years BP, after which the Maputo Bay
became more or less stable. Coral reefs may have also developed during this period.
Submarine modifications of the topography during and after the sea-level rise make it
difficult to make safe interpretations of the coastal palaeomorphology. However, we
believe that many of the present major submarine bottom forms, which are seen on
the maps today, are related to coastal processes during the sea-level rise, and were
preserved when they were flooded during the Holocene transgression. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/450 |
| Appears in Collections: | Miscellaneous
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