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230Th/234U age support of an interstadial sea level of −40 m at 30,000 yr BP

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Abstract

THE position of sea level about 30,000 years ago—in the Paudorf interstade in Europe1 and the Plum Point interstade in northeastern America2—is disputed, estimates varying from above present sea level to ∼50 m below it. The disagreement is due partly to 14C dating problems, and partly to stratigraphic errors and incorrect tectonic assumptions3. We now confirm a previous estimate4–6 of −40 to −42m made from Huon Peninsula, New Guinea, and give new 230Th/234U data which support previous 14C results.

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CHAPPELL, J., VEEH, H. 230Th/234U age support of an interstadial sea level of −40 m at 30,000 yr BP. Nature 276, 602–604 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/276602a0

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