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Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef

Author

Listed:
  • Jody M. Webster

    (The University of Sydney)

  • Yusuke Yokoyama

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo
    Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

  • Marc Humblet

    (Nagoya University)

  • Juan Carlos Braga

    (Campus de Fuentenueva)

  • Tezer Esat

    (The Australian National University
    Australian National University)

  • Stewart Fallon

    (Australian National University)

  • Edouard Bard

    (Aix-Marseille University CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Collège de France, Technopôle de l’Arbois)

Abstract

The timing, rate, and magnitude of rapid sea-level rise during Meltwater Pulse 1B (MWP-1B, ~11.45–11.1 ka) remain controversial. Robust constraints on past MWPs are crucial to future predictions of global ice sheet instability. Using 154 new and existing U/Th and calibrated 14C-AMS dates from coral, algae, and microbialites recovered during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 325, this study reconstructs reef development and relative sea-level (RSL) rise on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We identify 107 in situ RSL index points while refining estimates of vertical accretion and paleowater depth. Results show RSL rise during MWP-1B did not exceed 10.2–7.7 m or rates of 30–23 mm/yr, and was likely less. The GBR did not drown, indicating resilience to MWP-1B. These findings are more consistent with Tahiti and other Pacific records and do not support the Barbados record of MWP-1B as an abrupt step in global sea level, with a magnitude > 11 m.

Suggested Citation

  • Jody M. Webster & Yusuke Yokoyama & Marc Humblet & Juan Carlos Braga & Tezer Esat & Stewart Fallon & Edouard Bard, 2025. "Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59858-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yusuke Yokoyama & Tezer M. Esat & William G. Thompson & Alexander L. Thomas & Jody M. Webster & Yosuke Miyairi & Chikako Sawada & Takahiro Aze & Hiroyuki Matsuzaki & Jun’ichi Okuno & Stewart Fallon & , 2018. "Rapid glaciation and a two-step sea level plunge into the Last Glacial Maximum," Nature, Nature, vol. 559(7715), pages 603-607, July.
    2. Lauren T. Toth & Richard B. Aronson & Kim M. Cobb & Hai Cheng & R. Lawrence Edwards & Pamela R. Grothe & Hussein R. Sayani, 2015. "Climatic and biotic thresholds of coral-reef shutdown," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 5(4), pages 369-374, April.
    3. Pierre Deschamps & Nicolas Durand & Edouard Bard & Bruno Hamelin & Gilbert Camoin & Alexander L. Thomas & Gideon M. Henderson & Jun'ichi Okuno & Yusuke Yokoyama, 2012. "Ice-sheet collapse and sea-level rise at the Bølling warming 14,600 years ago," Nature, Nature, vol. 483(7391), pages 559-564, March.
    4. Adam D. Sproson & Yusuke Yokoyama & Yosuke Miyairi & Takahiro Aze & Rebecca L. Totten, 2022. "Holocene melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet driven by tropical Pacific warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Jeremy D. Shakun & Peter U. Clark & Feng He & Shaun A. Marcott & Alan C. Mix & Zhengyu Liu & Bette Otto-Bliesner & Andreas Schmittner & Edouard Bard, 2012. "Global warming preceded by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during the last deglaciation," Nature, Nature, vol. 484(7392), pages 49-54, April.
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