Holocene Sea Level Fall and Coastal Progradation in Northeastern Spencer Gulf

Northeastern Spencer Gulf in South Australia contains data on Holocene sea-level changes and coastal progradation. The Australian Ocean Data Network compiled precise elevation measurements of beach ridges and sea-grass deposits, with 14C dating of mollusc shells and shell hash. The dataset details sea-level history from 6000 years B.P. to the present.

Use Cases

• Model relative sea-level fall from +2 m to +1.5 m between 4000-3000 years B.P. using dated beach ridge elevations.
• Analyze the correlation between shoreline progradation and sea-level fall events of 0.5-1.0 m in the last 2000 years.
• Assess tectonic uplift influence by comparing sea-level indicators like beach ridge bases at +1.1 m to +1.8 m A.H.D. with regional seismicity data.
• Reconstruct coastal evolution timelines using 14C dates from mollusc shells and sea-grass root fibres across defined transects.

Strengths

• Precisely measured elevations for beach ridges and sea-grass deposits, with ranges specified in meters A.H.D.
• Chronological framework constructed from 14C dating covering 6000 years of Holocene history.
• Analysis spans multiple defined periods: 6000-4000, 4000-3000, 3000-2000, and 2000 years B.P. to present.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count for measured transects and dated samples are unknown.
• Primary data formats are PDF and HTML, which may require extraction for computational analysis.
• Geographic scope is limited to northeastern Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Precise field measurements of intertidal environments and 14C dating of mollusc shells and sea-grass materials.

Time Range

Holocene period, with detailed events from 6000 years B.P. to present.

Freshness

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Geography

Northeastern Spencer Gulf, South Australia