Foraminifera and palaeoenvironment of elevated late pleistocene sands, White rock point, Southeastern tasmania

Abstract

A well-preserved foraminiferal fauna similar to that living in nearby Ralphs Bay in southeastern Tasmania is documented from raised shallow-water sediment of 130-119 Ka age (Late Pleistocene; Marine Isotope Stage 5e) at about 24 m above modern sea level on White Rock Point. Foraminifera and sediment characteristics indicate that deposition occurred in very shallow, highly oxygenated, high-energy marine conditions in an area of open circulation. There is very little infauna. The locality is the only known site for such a fauna from before human habitation of the Derwent Estuary region, and allows comparison with modern faunas.