Mid-Holocene sea-level change and coastal evolution

Mid-Holocene coasts were radically different to those of the early or late Holocene, different in both form and process. To begin to understand this distinctiveness this report reviews recent research concerning relative sea-level (RSL) change and coastal evolution during the period between c. 7800 and 4400 cal. yr BP (c. 7000 to 4000 14C yr BP). RSL changed rapidly during this time because of a fall in meltwater discharge from the dwindling ice sheets of the northern hemisphere, coupled with a reduced Antarctic contribution. This review begins by addressing the problem of eustatic changes during the mid-Holocene before turning to consider age/altitude evidence and then patterns of coastal evolution.