Mid–Late Holocene coastal environmental changes in southeastern Sri Lanka: New evidence for sea level variations in southern Bay of Bengal

Ranasinghe, P.N.; Ortiz, Joseph D.; Moore, Adam D.; McAdoo, Brian G.; Wells, Neil A.; Siriwardana, Chandawimal H. E. R.; Wijesundara, D. T.D.S.

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.02.030

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Salinity in Bolgoda Lake is mainly controlled by seasonal variations in the IOM system rather than sea‐level changes (Ratnayake et al, 2018). Moreover, existing limnological studies have reported that the sea level around Sri Lanka has been relatively stable during the last ~3000 yrs bp (Ranasinghe et al, 2013). Hence, proliferation of mangroves interpreted based on different proxies in the Bolgoda Lake record requires an explanation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconstruction of the Late Holocene climate and environmental history from North Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, using lipid biomarkers and pollen records

Gayantha

Routh

Anupama

et al. 2020

J Quaternary Science

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The catastrophic impact and unpredictability of the Indian Ocean Monsoon (IOM) over South Asia are evident from devastating floods, mudslides and droughts in one of the most densely populated regions of the globe. However, our understanding as to how the IOM has varied in the past, as well as its impact on local environments, remains limited. This is particularly the case for Sri Lanka, where erosional landscapes have limited the availability of well-stratified, high-resolution terrestrial archives. Here, we present novel data from an undisturbed sediment core retrieved from the coastal Bolgoda Lake. This includes the presentation of a revised Late Holocene age model as well as an innovative combination of pollen, source-specific biomarkers, and compound-specific stable carbon isotopes of n-alkanes to reconstruct the shifts in precipitation, salinity and vegetation cover. Our record documents variable climate between 3000 years and the present, with arid conditions c. 2334 and 2067 cal a BP. This extreme dry period was preceded and followed by more wet conditions. The high-resolution palaeoenvironmental reconstruction fills a major gap in our knowledge on the ramifications of IOM shifts across South Asia and provides insights during a time of major redistribution of dense human settlements across Sri Lanka.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconstruction of the Late Holocene climate and environmental history from North Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, using lipid biomarkers and pollen records

Gayantha

Routh

Anupama

et al. 2020

J Quaternary Science

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“…yr B.P. to its present position (Ranasinghe et al, 2013a). The stabilization and slight fall of sea level after this time resulted in a reduced sedimentation rate in the lagoon.…”

Section: Tsunami Chronologymentioning

confidence: 91%

“…DR4; Table DR1). The evolution of the lagoon is related to Holocene sea-level rise and the variability in aridity due to changes in the Indian monsoon system during the past 7000 yr (Jackson, 2008;Ranasinghe et al, 2013aRanasinghe et al, , 2013b. A relatively fast rate of mid-Holocene sea-level rise started at ca.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Holocene Indian Ocean tsunami history in Sri Lanka

Jackson

Eberli

Amelung

et al. 2014

Geology

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Sediment cores from Karagan Lagoon in southeastern Sri Lanka retrieved deposits from the A.D. 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and older similar deposits that provide evidence for a tsunami 2417 ± 152 cal. (calendar) yr B.P. to 2925 ± 98 cal. yr B.P., and for six tsunamis between 4064 ± 128 cal. yr B.P. and 6665 ± 110 cal. yr B.P., a period for which the sediment record appears continuous. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the recurrence interval is variable, ranging from 181-517 yr to 1045 ± 334 yr, with a mean recurrence interval of 434 ± 40 yr during the ca. 4000-7000 cal. yr B.P. continuous interval. Assuming that these tsunamis were generated by giant earthquakes along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone, a reasonable assumption for this far-field transoceanic location, this record extends the giant-earthquake history for the Indian Ocean region. The longest recurrence interval of more than 1000 yr implies that earthquakes along the subduction zone may reach twice the size of the 2004 earthquake.

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“…It seems unlikely that a single such event would have produced such lasting effects unless it was superimposed on a period of prolonged sea-level rise, such as occurred around the coast of India during the early Holocene, perhaps 7300-4900 cal BP [65,66]. In this interpretation, the event would have been a recurring extreme, perhaps a storm surge or a tsunami, but being superimposed on a rising sea level would have had effects unsurpassed in the memories of the affected people and may consequently have led to the abandonment of the city in question.…”

Section: Myths Recalling Abrupt Coastal Floodingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geohazards and myths: ancient memories of rapid coastal change in the Asia-Pacific region and their value to future adaptation

Nunn

2014

Geosci Lett

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Rapid coastal change is common in the Asia-Pacific region yet an understanding of its causes, recurrence times, and impacts is not always clear through the use of conventional geological methods. It is suggested that myths (traditional [oral] tales) are underutilized sources of information about coastal change in this region. This is illustrated by consideration of myths likely to recall (early) Holocene sea-level rise, particularly along the coasts of India and Australia, as well as myths recalling rapid episodic coastal emergence and submergence, the latter including the disappearance of entire landmasses (islands). Two examples of how details in such myths can inform geological understanding of coastal change are given. The first argues that myths recalling the rapid flooding of coastal cities/ lowlands are likely to represent memories of extreme wave events superimposed on a rising (postglacial) sea level. The second suggests that many myths about landmass/island disappearance fail to report the occurrence of rapid (coseismic and aseismic) subsidence even though they provide inferential evidence that this occurred. Few such myths are known to the author from many parts of Asia yet it is likely they exist and could, as elsewhere in the world, help illuminate the understanding of the nature and chronology of rapid coastal change. The challenges involved in helping communities in the Asia-Pacific region adapt to future coastal changes might be partly overcome by the use of appropriate myths to demonstrate precedents and engender local participation in adaptation strategies.

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Mid–Late Holocene coastal environmental changes in southeastern Sri Lanka: New evidence for sea level variations in southern Bay of Bengal

Cited by 26 publications

References 24 publications

Reconstruction of the Late Holocene climate and environmental history from North Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, using lipid biomarkers and pollen records

Reconstruction of the Late Holocene climate and environmental history from North Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, using lipid biomarkers and pollen records

Holocene Indian Ocean tsunami history in Sri Lanka

Geohazards and myths: ancient memories of rapid coastal change in the Asia-Pacific region and their value to future adaptation

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