Understanding the Red Sea response to sea level

Here we outline a new, pragmatic methodology to derive relative sea-level estimates from central Red Sea oxygen isotope records based on a previously published model. In this paper, the methodology is described in detail, and it is shown that sea-level change is the dominant factor responsible for t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Earth and planetary science letters 2004-09, Vol.225 (3), p.421-434
Main Authors: Siddall, Mark, Smeed, David A., Hemleben, Christoph, Rohling, Eelco J., Schmelzer, Ina, Peltier, William R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
hydraulic control
Marine
oxygen isotope
Red Sea
sea level
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Summary:Here we outline a new, pragmatic methodology to derive relative sea-level estimates from central Red Sea oxygen isotope records based on a previously published model. In this paper, the methodology is described in detail, and it is shown that sea-level change is the dominant factor responsible for the recorded variability in Red Sea δ 18O (PDB) for sea level changes greater than 12 m. Variables such as temperature or net evaporation are shown to have relatively small effects on the oxygen isotope record. The modelled δ 18O (PDB) to sea level relationship is given in terms of a fifth order polynomial which may be used to describe relative sea level from central Red Sea oxygen isotope records. We show how established sea level records from fossil reef terraces for the last 20 kyr are successfully simulated from central Red Sea oxygen isotope records. We also examine the spatial variability of δ 18O (PDB) in the basin over the last 13 kyr.
ISSN:0012-821X
1385-013X
DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2004.06.008