Low marine terraces of Grand Cayman Island

Abstract

Twenty levelling profiles across the shore zone of Grand Cayman Island reveal the presence of six low marine terraces above present sea level. The lowest and youngest one at about 2 m elevation is the most widespread and probably represents Sangamon interglacial high sea level. Higher terraces are much eroded and probably much older, but none provides evidence of post-terrace warping. Similarities in age and elevation of the 2 m terrace on this island to those in north-western Yucatan, northern Jamaica, the Bahamas and Florida suggest that vertical movements at Grand Cayman Island have been minor during at least the past 125 000 years, even with its nearness to the tectonically active Cayman Trough.