Timing of lake-level changes in Etosha Pan, Namibia, since the middle Holocene from OSL ages of relict shorelines in the Okondeka region

Abstract

In 2003 examination of aerial photographs revealed a series of previously unknown relict shorelines on the arcuate ridge, possibly a clay lunette dune, that marks the western boundary of Etosha Pan in Namibia. The shorelines are 120–600 m wide and the most prominent extend for tens of km around the lunette dune. The shorelines were examined on the ground in 2004 and an attempt was made to date the three lowest levels at ca. 5, 2.5 and 1 m above the present pan surface. The OSL ages obtained indicate higher and more prolonged lake conditions than today at ca. 6.4, 4.0 and 2.1 ka with the youngest shoreline sediments resting on an ancient pan surface dating to ca. 13 ka. The evidence indicates dry conditions in the pan at ca. 13 ka, wetter conditions and higher lake levels in the middle Holocene followed by a decline in lake levels to the present. Periods of inundation were of sufficient duration to produce shorelines at the southwestern end of the pan due to the prevailing northeasterly winds that would have maximized wave action along this section of the pan margin. The Etosha findings, together with other regional paleoclimate data, suggest four periods of increased wetness in SW Africa during the Holocene at 7–5, 4.5–3.5, 2.5–1.7 and ca. 1.0 ka. There is widespread evidence for the oldest of these periods suggesting that it was a prominent and widespread interval of wetness. Prior to ca. 8.0 ka the climate may have been drier than today.