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New Records of Sea Level Changes in the Fiji Islands

Author

Listed:
  • Nils-Axel Mörner

    (Paleogeophysics & Geodynamics, Sweden)

  • Pamela Matlack-Klein

    (The Portuguese Sea Level Project, USA)

Abstract

New sea level records from the Yasawa Islands in Fiji are presented. Beachrock occurs frequently on the beaches in the zone between mean and high tide levels on most of the islands. They date to the last 4200 years. The present sea level has produced distinct shore marks in the form of under-cut notches, rock-cut platforms and sea-caves in the bedrock, as well as sand accumulations with a clear mean high tide level (HTL). The fieldwork was concentrated in 10 sites. Elevation was measured with a high-precision instrument with respect to HTL. Ages were determined by 17 C14-dates. A +70cm higher sea level was observed, sampled and dated at AD 1530-1673. It was followed by a significant regression of about 1.7-1.8m, killing coral reefs and cutting a new rock-cut platform some 20-30cm above present mean low tide level (LTL). Then sea level rose again to its present position, or slightly above, a level, which remained fairly constant over the last 150-200 years. In the last 60 years corals were killed due to a sea level lowering or a severe bleaching episode. After that very stable sea level conditions must have prevailed for the last decades, forcing corals at several sites to grow laterally into microatolls.

Suggested Citation

  • Nils-Axel Mörner & Pamela Matlack-Klein, 2017. "New Records of Sea Level Changes in the Fiji Islands," Oceanography & Fisheries Open Access Journal, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 5(4), pages 85-94, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:adp:jofoaj:v:5:y:2017:i:4:p:85-94
    DOI: 10.19080/OFOAJ.2017.05.555667
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