New geological evidence is providing a clearer picture of how global sea levels surged after the last ice age, around 11,700 years ago. Researchers have uncovered crucial data from North Sea peat layers, revealing that sea levels rose at a rate of more than a meter per century during two key periods of the early Holocene.
These findings offer a deeper understanding of past climate shifts and highlight potential risks posed by modern global warming.
Tracing Ancient Sea Level Rise
A new study, published in Nature, was led by researchers from Deltares, Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, and several other institutions. Their work focuses on Doggerland, a now-submerged landmass that once connected Britain to mainland Europe.
By analyzing ancient peat deposits buried beneath the North Sea, scientists reconstructed the speed and scale of post-glacial sea level rise. Their findings confirm that at least two periods of exceptionally fast ocean expansion occurred around 10,300 and 8,300 years ago, driven by the rapid melting of massive ice sheets.
Uncovering The Patterns Of Ocean Expansion
For years, the total amount of sea level rise between 11,000 and 3,000 years ago remained uncertain, with estimates ranging from 32 to 55 meters. However, the new research refines this figure to approximately 38 meters, reducing previous uncertainties.
By combining radiocarbon dating with advanced climate models, the team identified peak moments where ocean levels surged by more than a meter per century—a rate comparable to some of today’s worst-case projections for future climate-driven sea level rise.
Implications For Today’s Climate Crisis
The findings provide an important reference point for modern climate science. Unlike the Holocene, where warming was driven by natural processes, today’s greenhouse gas emissions are accelerating ice sheet loss in Greenland and Antarctica, potentially triggering similar fast-rising ocean levels.
Current projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that sea levels could rise by several meters by 2300, with some scenarios predicting an increase of more than a meter per century—matching the rapid jumps seen in Doggerland’s past.
A Warning From History
According to Marc Hijma, a geologist at Deltares and lead author of the study, understanding past sea level changes is crucial for planning climate adaptation strategies.
“With this groundbreaking research, we have taken an important step towards a better understanding of sea level rise after the last ice age. By drawing on detailed data for the North Sea region, we can now better unravel the complex interaction between ice sheets, climate, and sea level,” he explains.
Unlike prehistoric societies, today’s world is heavily dependent on coastal cities, infrastructure, and economic hubs that are directly threatened by rising seas. Scientists warn that proactive measures.
“This provides insights for both scientists and policymakers, so that we can prepare better for the impacts of current climate change, for example by focusing on climate adaptation.”
