Abstract
Two stalagmites were collected from below sea level in U Vode Pit on the Krk Island, eastern Adriatic Sea, at elevations of − 14.5 and − 18.8 m. They exhibit a growth history indicating a double high sea-level stand during marine isotope stage (MIS) 5a (~ 87–77 ka). Thin layers of halite and gypsum were found to be associated with hiatuses in speleothem growth probably caused by seawater inundation during sea-level highstands. These mineral deposits are likely to have been precipitated during marine regression phases under evaporitic conditions. We constrain the age of the speleothem growth below and above growth hiatuses, and hence timing of possible marine incursions, using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) U–Th techniques. Age estimates indicate that, during MIS 5a, relative sea-level elevations were greater than − 14.5 m from ~ 87 to ~ 82 ka and − 18.8 m from ~ 77 to ~ 64 ka, and constrained to be lower than − 18.8 m from > 93 to ~ 90 ka, ~ 82 to ~ 77 ka and ~ 64 to ~ 54 ka, assuming no tectonic adjustment. However, present speleothem depths could indicate long term regional tectonics.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.