Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-95
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-95
09 Mar 2023
 | 09 Mar 2023

Refining patterns of melt with forward stratigraphic models on stable Pleistocene coastlines

Patrick Boyden, Paolo Stocchi, and Alessio Rovere

Abstract. The warmest peak of the Last Interglacial (ca. 128–116 ka) is considered a process analogue, and is often studied to better understand the effects of a future warmer climate on the Earth's system. In particular, significant effort has been made to better constrain ice sheet contributions to peak Last Interglacial sea level through field observation of paleo relative sea level indicators. Along tropical coastal margins, these observations are predominantly based on fossil shallow coral reef sequences, also thanks to the possibility of gathering reliable U-series chronological constraints. However, the preservation of many Pleistocene reef sequences is often limited to a series of discrete relative sea-level positions within the interglacial, where corals suitable for dating were preserved. This in turn, limits our ability to understand the continuous evolution of paleo relative sea-level through an entire interglacial, also affecting the possibility to unravel the existence and pattern of sub-stadial sea level oscillations. While the interpretation of lithostratigraphic and geomorphologic properties is often used to overcome this hurdle, geological interpretation may present issues related to subjectivity when dealing with missing facies or incomplete sequences. In this study, we try to step back from a conventional approach generating a spectrum of synthetic Quaternary subtropical fringing reefs for a site in southwestern Madagascar (Indian Ocean). We use the DIONISOS forward (Beicip Franlab) stratigraphic model to build a fossil reef at this location. In each model run, we use distinct Greenland and Antarctica Ice Sheet melt scenarios produced by a coupled ANICE-SELEN glacial isostatic adjustment model. The resulting synthetic reef sequences are then used test these melt scenarios against the stratigraphic record. We propose that this sort of stratigraphic modelling may provide further quantitative control when interpreting Last Interglacial reef sequences.

Patrick Boyden et al.

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-95', Gino de Gelder, 13 Apr 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-95', Georgia Grant, 25 May 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to Reviewer Comments for “Refining patterns of melt with forward stratigraphic models on stable Pleistocene coastlines” (egusphere-2023-95)', Patrick Boyden, 10 Jul 2023

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-95', Gino de Gelder, 13 Apr 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-95', Georgia Grant, 25 May 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to Reviewer Comments for “Refining patterns of melt with forward stratigraphic models on stable Pleistocene coastlines” (egusphere-2023-95)', Patrick Boyden, 10 Jul 2023

Patrick Boyden et al.

Data sets

Electronic Supplementary for: Refining patterns of melt with forward stratigraphic models on stable Pleistocene coastlines Patrick Boyden, Paolo Stocchi, and Alessio Rovere https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7565916

Patrick Boyden et al.

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Short summary
Preservation bias often hampers the extraction of sea level changes from the stratigraphic record. In this contribution, we use a forward stratigraphic model to build three synthetic subtropical fringing reefs for a site in southwestern Madagascar (Indian Ocean). Each of the three synthetic reefs represent a different ice-sheet melt scenario for the Pleistocene. We then evaluate each resultant reef sequence against the observed stratigraphic record.