Rapid relative sea-level fall along north-eastern Australia between 1200 and 800 cal. yr BP: an appraisal of the oyster evidence

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dc.contributor.authorLewis, SEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWüst, RAJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWebster, JMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCollins, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWright, SAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJacobsen, GEen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-29T01:44:30Zen_AU
dc.date.available2016-01-29T01:44:30Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2015-12-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2016-01-29en_AU
dc.description.abstractA fast-paced post-glacial sea-level rise and subsequent mid-Holocene sea-level highstand are well documented at several far field locations away from the presence of former ice sheets but sea-level development during the late Holocene remains ambiguous. In this study, we present new data from modern and fossil oysters attached to shoreline rocks along the north-eastern Australian coastline that reveal new constraints on the nature and timing of relative sea-level change over the past 2500 yr. Surveyed elevations of various contemporary oyster zones contextualize modern oyster growth forms in relation to sea-level datum and build the reference for our fossil oyster data. Based on survey data and field observations we developed a robust set of criteria for measuring fossil oysters to determine their relative sea-level position and constrain the uncertainties associated with these reconstructions. Thick (> 10 cm) fossil oyster visors above the equivalent modern growth suggest higher relative sea-levels in the past (i.e. > 1200 cal. yr BP). Radiocarbon analyses of the modern oyster visors suggest continuous lateral accumulation over the past ~ 800 yr which implies relatively stable sea-level over this period. The modern and fossil dataset defines a distinct and rapid relative ~ 1 m sea-level fall between 1200 and 800 cal. yr BP. Whether the sea-level fall was stepped or followed a broader smooth/monotonic pattern is unclear. The timing coincides with the initiation of some inshore fringing coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef region and other major geomorphological changes along the coastal zone. A combination of various factors may have been the driving mechanism behind this relative sea-level fall with rates between 1.0 to 5.2 mm yr− 1. © 2015, Elsevier B.V.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationLewis, S. E., Wüst, R. A. J., Webster, J. M., Collins, J., Wright, S. A., & Jacobsen, G. (2015). Rapid relative sea-level fall along north-eastern Australia between 1200 and 800 cal. yr BP: an appraisal of the oyster evidence. Marine Geology, 370, 20-30. doi:doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2015.09.014en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc6431en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0025-3227en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleMarine Geologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination20-30en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2015.09.014en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/6560en_AU
dc.identifier.volume370en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectQuaternary perioden_AU
dc.subjectSea levelen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectReefsen_AU
dc.subjectRock bedsen_AU
dc.subjectDataen_AU
dc.titleRapid relative sea-level fall along north-eastern Australia between 1200 and 800 cal. yr BP: an appraisal of the oyster evidenceen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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