A Review on Late Quaternary Environmental Change in the Namibia, South-Western Africa

A review of late Quaternary environmental change in Namibia reveals that the modern landscapes of southern and central Namibia are primarily shaped by tectonics, lithology, base level, and climate. Geomorphological analysis indicates that the Namib Sand Sea has a residence time of at least 1 million years, with dune sediments dating back to MIS 5, the Last Glacial Maximum, and the Holocene. Marine records suggest wetter summer conditions and increased seasonality during Southern Hemisphere insolation maxima and the last glacial period compared to the Holocene and the last interglacial period. Additionally, landscape degradation in northern Namibia, likely initiated by pre-colonial cattle farming, contrasts with past open savanna environments. These findings highlight the significance of geomorphological evidence for managing contemporary and future environmental conditions.

Qi Zhu, B. (2016). A Review on Late Quaternary Environmental Change in the Namibia, South-Western Africa. Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, 07(04). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7617.1000348