July 16, 2005

Catastrophic Sea Level Changes

And their dependence on Global Thermal Cycling (currently in a warming trend): ZERO An interesting write-up at Science Daily about some research into sand avalanches and changes in ocean levels:
Scientists Find Evidence Of Catastrophic Sand Avalanches, Sea Level Changes In Gulf Of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico, 130 miles south of Galveston, Texas -- An international team of marine research scientists working for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) have found new evidence that links catastrophic sand avalanches in deep Gulf waters to rapid sea level changes. By analyzing downhole measurements and freshly retrieved sediment cores, IODP scientists are reconstructing the history of a basin formed approximately 20,000 years ago, when sea level fell so low that the Texas shoreline shifted almost 100 miles to the south. The data are important to reconstructing climate change history and gathering insights about the development and placement of natural resources, particularly gas and oil deposits.
Fascinating -- here is a map of the area under study. Basic research data are here as well... Posted by DaveH at July 16, 2005 12:20 AM
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