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Holocene sea‐level change and Antarctic melting history derived from geological observations and geophysical modeling along the Shimokita Peninsula, northern Japan
Author(s) -
Yokoyama Yusuke,
Okuno Jun'ichi,
Miyairi Yosuke,
Obrochta Stephen,
Demboya Nobuhiro,
Makino Yoshinori,
Kawahata Hodaka
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2012gl051983
Subject(s) - geology , meltwater , holocene , peninsula , ice sheet , post glacial rebound , sea level , oceanography , bay , paleontology , glacier , archaeology , geography
A Mid to Late Holocene sea‐level record based on combined geomorphological, geological and micropaleontological observations was obtained from well‐developed wave cut benches subaerially exposed along the Shimokita Peninsula, northern Japan. Results indicate that the benches were formed during mid to late Holocene sea‐level transgressions, reaching a maximum highstand level of 2 m above present at about 4,000 years ago. This timing corresponds to an abrupt, order of magnitude decrease in sedimentation rate as recorded in a core recovered from proximal Mutsu Bay. In addition, glacio‐hydro‐isostatic adjustment due to crustal deformation in response to postglacial sea‐level rise was modeled, and results are consistent with the reconstructed local 2 m highstand. Given that meltwater contributions from the major North American and European ice sheets had largely ceased by 7,000 years ago, these independent lines of evidence, taken together, indicate that melting of the Antarctic ice sheet ended by 4,000 years ago.