Figure 1

Location of Danube-Black Sea system and the evolution phases of Danube delta.

(A) Black Sea and its watershed (contoured with dashed white line), Danube's watershed (contoured with white line); Danube and Danube delta (blue line and green fill respectively). Location of core GGC18/MC19 is indicated. (B) Geologic map of the Danube delta showing the extent of the present delta plain, the thickness of its deposits (red isopachs in meters) as well as the mapped extent of individual lobes¹⁵ (see also SI): Tulcea (pre-5500 yrs BP to Present); St. George I (~5500–3600 yrs BP); Sulina (~3600–2000 yrs BP); St. George II and Dunavatz, (both ~2000 yrs BP to present); Chilia I (older than 1000 yrs BP ); Chilia II (~1000–300 yrs BP); and Chilia III (~300 yrs BP to present). (C) Satellite image showing the expansion of Danube delta over the last 2000 years (land built during this period highlighted with a yellow mask).