Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
when the aridity prevailed. Sea-level changes are brought
about by gains and losses of water to and from the oceans
(glacio-eustatic changes), from increases and decreases
in oceanic basin volume (tectono-eustatic changes), and
from fluctuations in ocean temperature or density (steric
changes). Highstands and lowstands of sea level leave
their marks on the land surface and beneath the waves.
Stranded beach deposits, beds of marine shells, ancient
coral reefs, and platforms backed by steep cliff-like slopes
mark higher ocean levels. Submerged coastal features,
including rias, notches, and benches cut into submarine
slopes, and sunken forests mark lower levels. The rise of
sea level associated with deglaciation may be very rapid,
witness the Flandrian transgression.
FURTHER READING
Bell, M. and Walker, M. J. C. (2003)
Late Quaternary
Environmental Change: Physical and Human Perspec-
tives
, 2nd edn. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall.
This has a Quaternary science and archaeological
emphasis, but is undoubtedly valuable for geomorphol-
ogists, too.
Bloom, A. L. (1998)
Geomorphology: A Systematic
Analysis of Late Cenozoic Landforms
, 3rd edn. Upper
Saddle River, N.J., and London: Prentice Hall.
Worth perusing.
Lewin, J., Macklin, M. G., and Woodward, J. C. (eds)
(1996)
Mediterranean Quaternary River Environments
.
Rotterdam: A. A. Balkema.
A useful set of case studies, although not easy for the
novice.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1 Discuss the problems of interpreting
historical changes in fluvial systems.
2 To what extent does orbital forcing
explain geomorphic changes during
the Quaternary?
3 How has the advent of dating
techniques aided the interpretation of
Quaternary landforms?
Williams, M. A. J., Dunkerley, D., de Deckker,
P., Kershaw, P., and Chappell, J. (1998)
Quaternary
Environments
, 2nd edn. London: Arnold.
An excellent account of global fluctuations during the
Quaternary.
