Quaternary Sea-Level Changes

There have been significant changes in sea level over the past two million years, and a complete understanding of natural cycles of change as well as anthropogenic effects is imperative for future global development. This book reviews the history of research into these sea-level changes and summarises the methods and analytical approaches used to interpret evidence for sea-level changes. It provides an overview of changing climates during the Quaternary, examines processes responsible for global variability of sea-level records, and presents detailed reviews of sea-level changes for the Pleistocene and Holocene. The book concludes by discussing current trends in sea levels and likely future sea-level changes. This is an important and authoritative resource for academic researchers and graduate and advanced undergraduate students working in tectonics, stratigraphy, geomorphology, physical geography, environmental science and other aspects of Quaternary studies. 'Both Murray-Wallace and Woodroffe have made distinguished contributions to the field, and they explain clearly and with excellent figures why Quaternary sea-level changes are complex and far-reaching now that advances in technology have enabled greater insight. They carefully examine what constitutes evidence - actuality and inferences drawn - used by different approaches. They champion geographical variability over what might be called 'the tyranny of the average' in global models ... this book should be essential for everyone curious about Earth systems. Students, undergraduates and postgraduates, their instructors and mentors, will find it endlessly fascinating and informative.' Quaternary Science ReviewsPreface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; 1. Sea-level changes: the emergence of a Quaternary perspective; 2. The causes of Quaternary sea-level changes; 3. Palaeo sea-level indicators; 4. Methods of dating Quaternary sea-level changes; 5. Vertical displacement of shorelines; 6. Pleistocene sea-level changes; 7. Sea-level changes since the Last Glacial Maximum; 8. Current and future sea-level changes; References; Index.