Meta-analysis of last interglacial (MIS 5e) sea-level proxies along the Egyptian Red Sea

The Egyptian Red Sea region offers a unique and spatially extensive record of relative sea-level (RSL) proxies from the last interglacial durig Marine Isotopes Stage 5 e (MIS 5e; 129 to 116 ka), making it an ideal location for reconstructing past sea levels. In this study, we compiled 24 U-series dated RSL data points across a stretch of more than 450 km of coastline, focusing on three main sedimentological sea-level indicators: coral reefs, beach deposits and lagoon deposits. Using the standardized framework of the World Atlas of Last Interglacial Shoreline (WALIS), we ensured consistent data comparison and interpretation. Our analysis reveals that MIS 5e sea levels, based on refined proxies and accounting for uncertainties, ranged between approximately 3 m and 12 m above present sea level. Our investigation highlights key interpretive challenges when comparing the Egyptian Red Sea record with regional and global counterparts, particularly regarding the timing, magnitude and potential existence of sub-orbital sea-level peaks under current coarse chronological resolutions. We also evaluate errors associated with different coral zonation models and address contrasting sea level scenarios, including relatively stable sea level, multiple transgression/oscillation scenarios and earlier MIS 5e highstand. These findings underscore the need to refine the chronological framework to better constrain the MIS 5e sea-level fluctuations along the Egyptian Red Sea coast at a sub-millennial scale. The database is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13951411 (Altyeb et al., 2025). • Compiled well-strcutured database aligned with global sea-level proxies. • Propose an alternative skethch for sea-level history consistent with the sedimentological evidences, potentially overlooked by the previous studies. • Addressed the existing data gaps and limitations, providing a foundation for future studies.