Sea levels surged after last ice age according to new study

Sea levels surged after last ice age according to new study
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Mar 20, 2025

New geological research has clarified how rapidly and extensively global sea levels rose following the end of the last ice age, approximately 11,700 years ago. This discovery holds critical importance for understanding the response of polar ice sheets to global warming, both in the past and in future projections. The findings, published in *Nature*, stem from a collaboration involving Deltares, Utrecht University, TNO Netherlands Geological Service, Delft University of Technology, NIOZ, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Amsterdam, LIAG, and BGR.

Shedding light on post-glacial sea level rise

Fresh insights into sea level changes during the early Holocene now offer scientists and policymakers a meaningful benchmark as they grapple with modern climate challenges, particularly accelerating ice melt due to global warming. The new data enhances predictive capabilities for future sea level scenarios.

Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that rising greenhouse gas levels could result in sea level increases of several meters by 2300, with some models forecasting rates exceeding one meter per century. Unlike the early Holocene, today's higher population densities, urban development, and economic infrastructure dramatically amplify the potential consequences of such changes.

Breakthrough dataset from the North Sea

After the last glacial period, global sea levels rose sharply due to significant warming and the melting of vast ice sheets that had blanketed large regions of North America and Europe. However, until recently, the precise speed and extent of this rise during the early Holocene remained uncertain because of insufficient geological evidence.

Utilizing an unprecedented dataset from the North Sea, researchers have achieved highly precise reconstructions. They examined borehole samples from Doggerland, an ancient land bridge that once connected Great Britain to mainland Europe and became submerged as sea levels climbed.

By analyzing submerged peat deposits, dating them accurately, and applying advanced modeling techniques, the study identified two distinct intervals in the early Holocene when global sea levels surged by over a meter per century. Currently, sea levels in the Netherlands are increasing at around 3 mm per year, or 30 centimeters per century, with this rate expected to accelerate.

Previous estimates for sea level rise between 11,000 and 3,000 years ago ranged widely between 32 and 55 meters. The latest findings resolve this uncertainty, indicating a total rise of approximately 38 meters over that time frame.

Significant advancement in climate science

Marc Hijma, Deltares geologist and lead author of the study, remarked, "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. 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."

Research Report:Global sea-level rise in the early Holocene revealed from North Sea peats