Abstract
In this study we aim to document various coastal notches in Sur Lagoon (Oman) and interpret them regarding their use as sea-level indicator. We also unravel any short-term sea-level fluctuations, which are potentially preserved within the trace fossil assemblages of some of the notches. The oldest paleo notches stem from the last interglacial sea-level highstand of MIS 5e. This is concluded from cosmogenic nuclide dating of the fanglomerate bedrock in Sur Lagoon as presented in this study. All outcrops of paleo notches around Sur Lagoon were investigated in regards to the faunal distribution and notch shape. Furthermore, the absolute elevation of the notches and biological markers relative to msl were measured with a differential GPS. The bioerosional notch occurs at the same height around Sur Lagoon indicating that the area remained tectonically stable over the last 125 kyr. According to the elevation of the notch-apex, msl was 3.93 ± 0.12 m higher than today during the last interglacial. The distribution of boring and bioconstructing organisms relative to the notch shape displays at least one phase of short-term sea-level rise subsequent to the notch formation. The beachrocks that are associated with the bioerosion notches in Sur Lagoon show a larger grainsize than any sediment that is deposited in the lagoon nowadays. This, in combination with the occurrence of exceptionally high and deep abrasion notches, indicates that the coastline was more openly exposed and thus experienced a higher wave energy during the notch formation.
Highlights
Introduction and aimsThe understanding of natural processes along the world’s coastlines is of socio-economic relevance as coastal areas host the largest share of the global population and a number of critical infrastructure
6 Conclusions The main objectives of this study were to document the paleo coastal notches in the area of Sur Lagoon, to interpret them regarding their use as sea-level indicator and to test the hypothesis that the bioerosion notches represent a MIS 5e shoreline
Three main conclusions can be summarised from the results: 1. The observed paleo shoreline in Sur Lagoon formed during the last interglacial MIS 5e
Summary
Introduction and aimsThe understanding of natural processes along the world’s coastlines is of socio-economic relevance as coastal areas host the largest share of the global population and a number of critical infrastructure. Sea-level change is part of a complex system and understanding which parameters control it, is a challenging endeavor This is especially true given that instrumentally recorded observations of the planet’s climate systems only reach back a mere 200 years and many parameters like global mean temperature (IPCC, 2018) or the atmosphere’s greenhouse-gas concentration are higher today than at. If we want to be able to assess future scenarios, proxy-based reconstructions of past climate systems, preferably of times as warm or warmer than today, are necessary. Past interglacials fit this requirement and are of interest to the scientific community. In contrast to the situation today, orbital forcing on insolation instead of greenhouse-gas emission is seen as the main
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