Last Interglacial changes in sea level on Aldabra, western Indian Ocean

Braithwaite, C. J.R. (2020) Last Interglacial changes in sea level on Aldabra, western Indian Ocean. Sedimentology, 67(6), pp. 3236-3258. (doi: 10.1111/sed.12738)

Abstract

The Pleistocene limestones on the island of Aldabra in the western Indian Ocean preserve a detailed record of the Last Interglacial interval. Sedimentological analysis has revealed that this interval, formerly regarded as reflecting rapid sea‐level rise, during global warming, followed by a more gradual fall towards the low sea level of the Last Glacial Maximum, in fact shows much greater variation. Although data do not support an accurate chronology, there is evidence that reversals in sea‐level trend caused both pauses in deposition and concurrent erosion during sea‐level rise, and both stillstands and erosion during sea‐level fall. Data include sea‐level related variations in coral morphology, discontinuities and boundaries within depositional sequences, and changes in biofacies. These may explain inconsistencies in the radiometric ages of deposits within the unit, but question the nature of the interglacial cycle, the mechanisms driving it and, in particular, whether comparable variation occurred elsewhere.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The fieldwork for this project was supported by the Royal Society of London, and the UK Natural Environment Research.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Braithwaite, Dr Colin
• Authors: Braithwaite, C. J.R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Sedimentology
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0037-0746
• ISSN (Online): 1365-3091
• Published Online: 31 March 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Author
• First Published: First published in Sedimentology 67(6): 3236-3258
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License