Vanuatu

Abstract

The distribution of coral reefs of the Vanuatu archipelago and the occurrence of coral terraces depends on the tectonic factor in this area of island arc. Nevertheless, the reef development, although disturbed by this factor, appears to be controlled by global climatic factors. This is well illustrated by the occurrence of growth mode change at ~11.5 ka. The occurrence of successive coral terraces is also under the control of the eustatic sea-level variation in combination with the vertical motions. The climatic context of the region of Vanuatu, located in the zone of fluctuation of the SPCZ is of broad importance. Consequently, high monthly resolution geochemical analyses of corals provide information on past SST and SSS giving data on the past ENSO phenomenon.