Scholarly record
DROWNED LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTH BULGARIAN COAST: RECONSTRUCTING HOLOCENE SHORELINE MIGRATION IN SOZOPOL AREA
Abstract
The Holocene evolution of the Black Sea remains one of the most debated topics in Quaternary geology, primarily due to the dramatic transition from a semi-isolated lake to a marine basin. The South Bulgarian coast, extending from the Balkan Mountains to the Rezovo River, represents a complex geomorphological system shaped by post-glacial sea-level rise, tectonic fluctuations, and anthropogenic pressures. This paper synthesizes current stratigraphical and archaeological data to reconstruct the Holocene evolution of the region, focusing on the transition from the Neoeuxinian lake phase to the modern marine environment. This study reconstructs the palaeogeographic evolution and relative sea-level (RSL) fluctuations of the Sozopol area (Western Black Sea) throughout the Holocene. By integrating high-resolution sedimentological analysis, radiocarbon dating (14C), and seismic stratigraphy, we delineate the transition from a freshwater lacustrine environment to a fully marine system. The data indicates a rapid marine transgression during the early Holocene, which significantly altered the coastal morphology and submerged former terrestrial landscapes. Analysis of submerged archaeological structures and "submerged forests" near Sozopol provides critical proxy data, suggesting that RSL remained several meters below current levels until the mid-Holocene. We identify three distinct evolutionary phases: 1) The Early Holocene Lacustrine Phase: Characterized by isolated coastal lagoons; 2) The Neolithic Transgression: A period of rapid inundation and shoreline migration, and 3) The Late Holocene Stabilization: A slowing of sea-level rise leading to the formation of the modern Sozopol harbor and tombolo structures.
Publication details
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