A global compilation of U-series-dated fossil coral sea-level indicators for the Last Interglacial period (Marine Isotope Stage 5e)

Abstract

Abstract. This dataset is a comprehensive, global compilation of published uranium–thorium (U-series) dated fossil coral records from ∼ 150 000–110 000 years ago, as well as associated elevation measurements and sample metadata. In total, 1312 U-series measurements from 994 unique coral colonies are included in the current version of the dataset, all of which have been normalized and recalculated using the same decay constant values. Of these measurements, 444 analyses from 330 colonies are relative sea-level indicators, whereas 15 analyses from 13 colonies are marine limiting. Two example geochemical screening criteria have been included to assist users with identifying altered fossil corals that display geochemical open-system behavior, and the originally published interpretations on age quality have been preserved within the sample metadata. Additionally, a clear distinction has been made between coral colonies that are in primary growth position, which may be used for relative sea-level reconstructions, and colonies that have been transported/reworked, which cannot be used for these purposes. Future research efforts involving fossil coral sea-level reconstructions should emphasize an “integrated” and holistic approach that combines careful assessment of U-series age quality with high-precision surveying techniques and detailed facies/stratigraphic observations. This database is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4309796 (Chutcharavan and Dutton, 2020).

A standardized database of Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) sea-level indicators in Southeast Asia

“…One of the earliest works reporting LIG sea-level indicators in Southeast Asia was that of Chappell and Veeh (1978), examining coral reef terraces in East Timor (Atauro Island and northern Timor Island) to assess RSL changes within the active tectonic context of the study area. More recent work on the coral reef terraces along the north coast of Timor Island was done by Cox (2009) to constrain the neotectonic evolution and arc-continent collision processes in the region.…”

“…In their study, Cox (2009) mapped 10 additional sites on Timor Island using differential GPS and provided new U-Series coral ages using mass spectrometry. In Cape Namosain, situated along southwestern Timor Island, Jouannic et al (1988) reported seven steps of raised reef terraces, and in the fifth step (Terrace 5, with reef crest at 44 m above low tide), a coral head in growth position was dated MIS 5e.…”

“…On Timor Island, we standardized a total of 14 RSL points from different sites (13 of which from the north coast and 1 from the southwest coast). In total, we inserted in the database 13 RSL points from 13 reef terrace sites reported by Chappell and Veeh (1978) and Cox (2009). Out of these 13 RSL points, 7 data points are dated to MIS 5e (WALIS RSL ID 3618,3645,3647,3649,3654,3655,3656).…”

Last Interglacial sea-level data points from Northwest Europe

“…One of the challenges of any LIG sea-level database is the chronostratigraphic constraints, as developing chronologies for Pleistocene timeframes is outside the reach of radiocarbon dating. Even in low-latitude regions where absolute U-series dating can be applied to palaeo-corals, debate on the age constrains remains (e.g., Chutcharavan and Dutton, 2021). In our study area, the MIS-6 glaciation limit divides the study area and the dataset quite evenly (N=68 within the glaciation limit, N=73 outside).…”

A global database of marine isotope substage 5a and 5c marine terraces and paleoshoreline indicators

“…Continued refinement of MIS 5a and 5c peak GMSL and regional rates of Quaternary vertical tectonic uplift remains within reach. First, numerical models for glacial isostatic adjustment that adopt "3-D" solid earth models with depth-varying and laterally homogenous viscoelastic structure promise to reconcile observed spatial gradients in RSL highstands and GIA model predictions (e.g., Latychev et al, 2005;Clark et al, 2019). Such numerical advancements offer the possibility of refining GMSL estimates in the absence of further field data collection.…”