Geomorphological indicators of past sea levels

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to present a broad survey of landforms that are indicators of past sea levels. These landforms are either erosional landforms formed in resistant materials, constructional biologic indicators, or coastal deposits. The chapter initially discusses coralline features as indicators of past sea levels, starting with late Pleistocene coralline terraced landforms and then discussing coral microatolls as relatively precise late Holocene paleogeodetic tools. The chapter then discusses erosional geomorphic indicators of past sea level, beginning with stair-stepped flights of late Pleistocene marine terraces. The chapter then discusses late Holocene shore platform-sea cliff junctions as sea-level indicators. After addressing notches as sea-level indicators, the chapter finally discusses depositional features on the coast as indicators of past sea levels and concentrates discussion on beach ridges.