A preliminary relative sea level curve for the Marguerite Bay region, Antarctic Peninsula

BENTLEY, M.J.
Department of Geography, University of Durham, South Rd, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

Contact e-mail: m.j.bentley@durham.ac.uk

The spatial coverage of relative sea level data in Antarctica is poor. This poster presents a preliminary relative sea level curve for the Marguerite Bay region of the Antarctic Peninsula. The curve is constrained by ¹⁴C dates on penguin remains and one isolation basin back to 5400 yr BP. The curve is not yet constrained by maximum dates or beyond 5400 yr BP. Extrapolation back to the marine limit, assuming exponential decay of uplift, yields a minimum deglaciation date for Marguerite Bay of 8500 yr BP. Analysis of beach clasts suggests that there was a period of reduced wave activity, perhaps related to a reduction in summer sea ice extent, between c.1700 and c.3300 yr BP.