Preliminary investigation on the Pleistocene/Holocene Sea-Level Changes along the Coastline of Tanzania, with reference to Unguja and Pemba Islands
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Date
2003
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Abstract
Along the coast of Tanzania, coral reefs, marine terraces and beach ridges are among the
most important geomorphological features indicative of the Pleistocene/Holocene sea level
changes. Three major terrace units can easily be identified on the mainland coast, namely,
Mtoni (youngest), Tanga and Sakura (oldest). Three terrace units have also been identified
on the Islands of Unguja and Pemba. On the basis of the difference in the terrace elevations
between the two terrace systems it is postulated that the marine terraces on the islands
probably represent minor fluctuations of sea level, rather than major phases of sea level
fluctuation. A sand beach on the seaward side and several sand ridges on the landward side
represent the Recent phase. The oldest Palaeoshoreline is approximately 5 m above the
present sea level, and extends landward to more than 1 km. Specific localities around the two
islands where Pleistocene/Holocene sea level changes has been preserved in the form of
marine terraces and/or beach ridges include Chwaka, Uroa, Jambiani, Paje and Nungwi
(Unguja island) and Vumawimbi and Kiuyu (Pemba island).
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Keywords
Pleistocene/Holocene, Sea-Level Changes, Coastline, Unguja and Pemba
Citation
Nyandwi, N., Muzuka, A.N.N. and Shaghude, Y.W., 2003. Preliminary investigation on the Pleistocene/Holocene Sea-Level Changes along the Coastline of Tanzania, with reference to Unguja and Pemba Islands.