Skip to main content

Changes in Sea Level

  • Conference paper
Patterns of Change in Earth Evolution

Part of the book series: Dahlem Workshop Reports Physical, Chemical, and Earth Sciences Research Reports ((DAHLEM PHYSICAL,volume 5))

Abstract

A number of methods have been developed for determining sea level changes. While they give similar results for the large-scale variations (>10–20 m.y.), there is disagreement over the magnitude of eustatic changes and over whether shorter-term variations are smooth or spasmodic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bond, G. 1978. Speculations on real sea-level changes, and vertical motions of continents at selected times in the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. Geology 6: 247–250.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bond, G.C. 1979. Evidence for some uplifts of large magnitudes in continental platforms. Tectonophys. 61: 285–305.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cogley, J.G. 1981. Late Phanerozoic extent of dry land. Nature 291: 56–58.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cooper, M.R. 1977. Eustacy during the Cretaceous: its implications and importance. Peleogeog. Paleoclimat. Paleoecol. 22: 1–60.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Curray, J.R. 1964. Transgressions and regressions. InPapers in Marine Geology, ed. R.L. Miller, Shepard Commemorative Volume, pp. 175–203. New York: Macmillan Co.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Donovan, D.T., and Jones, E.J.W. 1979. Causes of worldwide changes in sea level. J. Geol. 136: 87–192.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fairbridge, R.W. 1961. Eustatic changes in sea level. InPhysics and Chemistry of the Earth, eds. L.H. Ahrens et al., vol. 4, pp. 99– 185. London: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fischer, A.G., and Arthur, M.A. 1977. Secular variations in the pelagic realm. InDeep-water Carbonate Environments, eds. H.E. Cook and P. Enos. Spec. Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. 25: 19–50.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hager, B.H. 1980. Eustatic sea level and spreading rate are not simply related. E.O.S. 61: 374.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hallam, A. 1978. Eustatic cycles in the Jurassic. Paleogeog. Paleoclimat. Paleoecol. 23: 1–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hallam, A. 1981. A revised sea-level curve for the Jurassic. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 138: 735–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hancock, J.M. 1975. The sequence of facies in the Upper Cretaceous of northern Europe compared with that in the Western Interior. InThe Cretaceous System in the Western Interior of North America, ed. W.G.E. Caldwell. Spec. Paper Geol. Assoc. Can. 13: 83–118.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hancock, J.M., and Kauffman, E.G. 1979. The great transgression of the Late Cretaceous. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 136: 175–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hardenbol, J.; Vail, P.R.; and Ferrer, R. 1981. Interpolating paleoenvironments, subsidence history and sea-level changes of passive margins from seismic and biostratigraphy. Proceedings of the 26th International Geological Congress, Geology of Continental Margins Symposium, Paris, July 7–17, 1980. Oceanol. Act.: 33– 44.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Harrison, C.G.A.; Brass, G.W.; Saltzman, E.; Sloan, II, J.; Southham, J.; and Whitman, J.M. 1981. Sea level variations, global sedimentation rates and the hypsographic curve. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 54: 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hays, J.D., and Pitman, III, W.C. 1973. Lithosphere plate motion, sea-level changes and climatic and ecological consequences. Nature 246: 18–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Jeletsky, J.A. 1977. Causes of Cretaceous oscillations of sea level in Western and Artie Canada and some general geotectonic implications. Paleon. Soc. Japan Spec. Paper 21: 233–346.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kominz, M.A. 1983. Oceanic ridge volumes and sea level changes - an error analysis. InInterregional Unconformities and Hydrocarbon Accumulations, ed. J. Schlee, AAPG Memoir. Tulsa, OK: AAPG, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kuenen, P.H. 1940. Causes of eustatic movements. 6th Pacific Science Congress Proceedings, vol. 2, pp. 833–837. Berkeley: University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Loutit, T.S., and Kennett, J.P. 1981. New Zealand and Australian Cenozoic sedimentary cycles and global sea-level changes. Am. Assoc. Petr. Geol. Bull. 65: 1586–1601.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mörner, N.-A. 1976. Eustasy and geoid changes. J. Geol. 84: 123– 151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mörner, N.-A. 1980. Relative sea level changes, tectono-eustasy, geoidal eustasy and geodynamics during the Cretaceous. Cretaceous Res. 1: 329–340.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Mörner, N.-A. 1981. Revolution in Cretaceous sea-level analysis. Geology 9: 344–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Olsson, R.K.; Miller, K.G.; and Ungrody, R.E. 1980. Late Oligocene transgression of middle Atlantic coastal plain. Geology 8: 549–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Parsons, B. 1982. Causes and consequences of the relation between area and age of the ocean floor. J. Geophys. Res. 87: 289–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Pitman, III, W.C. 1978. The relationship between eustacy and stratigraphic sequences of passive margins. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 89: 1389–1403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Rochow, K.A. 1981. Seismic stratigraphy of the North Sea “Palocene” deposits. InPetroleum Geology of the Continental Shelf of Northwest Europe, eds. L.V. Illing and G.D. Hobson, pp. 255–266. London: Heyden and Sons, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Schlanger, S.O.; Jenkyns, H.C.; and Premoli-Silva, I. 1981. Volcanism and vertical tectonics in the Pacific Basin related to global Cretaceous transgressions. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 52: 435–449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Sleep, N.H. 1976. Platform subsidence and eustatic sea level changes. Tectonophys. 36: 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Sloss, L.L. 1963. Sequences in the cratonic interior of North America. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 74: 93–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Sloss, L.L., and Speed, R.C. 1974. Relationships of cratonic and continental-margin tectonic episodes. In Tectonics and Sedimentation, eds. W.R. Dickenson. SEPM Spec. Publ. 22: 98–119.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Steckler, M.S. 1981. The thermal and mechanical evolution of Atlantic-type continental margins. Ph.D. Thesis, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Steckler, M.S. 1984. Two-dimensional considerations in the subsidence of continental margins. J. Geophys. Res., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Steckler, M.S., and Watts, A.B. 1982. Subsidence history and tectonic evolution of Atlantic-type continental margins. InDynamics of Passive Margins, ed. R.A. Scrutton, vol. 6, pp. 184–196. Washington, D.C.: A.G.U.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Suess, E. 1906. The Face of the Earth, vol. 2. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Terry, K.D., and Tucker, W.H. 1968. Biologic effects of supernovae. Science 159: 421–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Turcotte, D.L., and Kenyon, P.M. 1983. Synthetic seismic stratigraphy. AAPG Bull., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Vail, P.R., and Hardenbol, J. 1979. Sea-level changes during the Tertiary. Oceanus 22: 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Vail, P.R.; Hardenbol, J.; and Todd, R.G. 1982. Jurassic unconformities and global sea-level changes from seismic and biostratigraphy. Houston Geol. Soc. Bull. (Sept.): 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Vail, P.R.; Mitchum, R.M.; Todd, R.G.; Widmier, J.M.; Thompson, III, S.; Sangree, J.B.; Bubb, J.N.; and Hatlelid, W.G. 1977. Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea-level. InSeismic-stratigraphy Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, ed. C.E. Payton, pp. 49– 212, AAPG Memoir 26. Tulsa, OK: AAPG.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Vail, P.R., and Todd, R.G. 1981. Northern North Sea Jurassic unconformities, chronostratigraphy and sea-level changes from seismic stratigraphy. InPetroleum Geology of the Continental Shelf of North-west Europe, pp. 216–235. London: Heyden and Son, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Van Hinte, J.E. 1978. Geohistory analysis-application of micropaleontology in exploration geology. Am. Assoc. Petr. Geol. 62: 201–222.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Vogt, P.R. 1972. Evidence for global synchronism mantle plume convection and possible significance for geology. Nature 240: 338–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Watts, A.B. 1982. Tectonic subsidence, flexure and global changes of sea level. Nature 197: 469–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Watts, A.B., and Steckler, M.S. 1979. Subsidence and eustasy at the continental margin of eastern North America. InDeep Drilling Results in the Atlantic Ocean: Continental Margins and Paleoenvironments, eds. M. Talwani, W. Hay, and W.B.F. Ryan, pp. 218–234, Ewing Symposium Series 3. Washington, D.C.: AGU.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Wood, R.J. 1981. The subsidence history of Conoco well 15/30-1, central North Sea. Earth Planet. Sei. Lett. 54: 306–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Wood, R.J. 1982. Subsidence in the North Sea. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wise, D.U. 1974. Freeboard and the volumes of continents and oceans through time. InThe Geology of Continental Margins, eds. C.A. Burk and C.L. Drake, pp. 45–58. New York: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Yanshin, A.L. 1973. About the so-called global transgressions and regressions. Byull. mosk. Obshch. Ispyt. Prir. (Otdel. geol.) 48: 9–45.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

H. D. Holland A. F. Trendall

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Dr. S. Bernhard, Dahlem Konferenzen

About this paper

Cite this paper

Steckler, M. (1984). Changes in Sea Level. In: Holland, H.D., Trendall, A.F. (eds) Patterns of Change in Earth Evolution. Dahlem Workshop Reports Physical, Chemical, and Earth Sciences Research Reports, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69317-5_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69317-5_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69319-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69317-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics