Fields of study

My research focuses on understanding climate variations throughout the Quaternary period and their implications for current climate change. Specifically, I study the climatic variations of the Southern Ocean to understand the climatic drivers of the Southern Hemisphere and how they influence the South African climate. This research is crucial because the diverse topography, latitudinal extent, and oceanic influence on South African climate make it challenging to conclusively characterize the Quaternary climate for the entire region. My honours project is a literature review of the Quaternary climate variability in South Africa compared to the Sub-Antarctic regions most closely related to it, namely Marion Island and Kerguelen Island in the southern Indian Ocean. These islands provide valuable climatic records due to their proximity and similar climatic influences. By examining periods of glacial advance and retreat on these islands, we can identify patterns of regional climate variability over shorter timescales, aiding in the reconstruction of South Africa's Quaternary climate. The literature suggests that during the early Quaternary period, temperatures in South Africa were approximately 19°C to 24°C cooler than modern temperatures, accompanied by reduced rainfall. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), around 19,000 to 26,000 years ago, temperatures were estimated to be 5°C to 10°C cooler than present conditions, with increased aridity. Despite these cooler temperatures, evidence supporting the presence of glaciers in South Africa during the LGM is contentious. In the Southern Ocean, Kerguelen Island experienced a glacier maximum extent around 41,000 years ago, followed by a period of deglaciation. Although brief periods of glacier advancement and stagnation occurred between 41,000 and 15,000 years ago, deglaciation persisted. Similarly, on Marion Island, glaciers reached their maximum extent before 34,000 years ago. Between 34,000 and 17,000 years ago, glaciers retreated, with possible periods of stagnation. By approximately 19,000 years ago, lower altitudes below 850 meters above sea level were ice-free. This comparative analysis of climatic variations in South Africa and the Sub-Antarctic islands aims to provide insights into regional climate variability and improve our understanding of past and present climate dynamics. Understanding these variations is essential for predicting future climate changes and developing strategies for mitigation and adaptation.