Abstract
Abstract. Like most of the world's coastlines, the Korean Peninsula experienced higher-than-present sea levels during the last interglacial (LIG), otherwise known as Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e. However, the expression of that highstand in the geological record differs across the eastern and western Korean Peninsula. The tectonically active east coast of the Korean Peninsula is characterized by broad uplifted marine terraces, while the stable west coast is characterized by tidal flats and rias. In this study, we used a standardized database template to review and extract the existing constraints on LIG sea levels along both the east and west coasts of the Korean Peninsula. A total of 62 LIG constraining data points were compiled including 34 sea-level indicators, 22 marine limiting records, and 6 terrestrial limiting records. The ages from these data points are based on 61 optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements and 1 paleomagnetic-based age. Along the uplifted east coast, LIG sea-level indicators based on marine terraces are at elevations ranging from +9 to +32 m. The uplifted marine terraces are cut or otherwise deformed by faults developed under a compressional regime due to back-arc closing of the East Sea since the early Pliocene. As a result, tectonic uplift likely has affected the elevations of the east coast LIG shorelines. In contrast, LIG sea-level records on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula are found at heights of between +3 and +6 m and include marine and terrestrial elevation limiting records as well as true sea-level indicators. The LIG sea-level constraints along the west coast of the Korean Peninsula are likely unaffected by vertical movement or experienced minor subsidence during the Quaternary. The database is available open access at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4974826 (Ryang and Simms, 2021).
Highlights
During the last interglacial (LIG), otherwise known as Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e, global sea level was 5–9 m higher than present sea level (Veeh, 1966; Dutton and Lambeck, 2012)
Marine terraces are more prominent with a higher potential of preserving coastal indicators reflecting higher sea levels (Shennan et al, 2015; Rovere et al, 2016), sea-level records based on tidal deposit along the west coast may provide more valuable MIS 5e sea-level records
We summarize the two contrasting datasets of MIS 5e relative sea-level (RSL) changes from the two different tectonic settings of the eastern and western Korean Peninsula
Summary
During the last interglacial (LIG), otherwise known as Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e (about 130 to 115 ka), global sea level was 5–9 m higher than present sea level (Veeh, 1966; Dutton and Lambeck, 2012). The apparent magnitude of that highstand is expressed differently across the globe depending on local tectonics, glacial-isostatic adjustment processes, and sediment compaction Due to their contrasting tectonic settings, the eastern and western coasts of the Korean Peninsula record that global highstand in sea levels differently. A total of 75 papers including 68 published and 7 unpublished studies were reviewed to extract 62 LIG data points comprising 34 sea-level indicators, 22 marine limiting records, and 6 terrestrial limiting records. These data are based on 61 optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages and 1 paleomagnetic constraint.
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