Pleistocene Sea Levels

Previous Sea Levels

The rate of sea level rise and fall has not been precisely established, nor is it known how long it paused at it's maximum and minimum levels. Small ossilations, caused by less complete glacial and interglacial episodes - add to the complexity of the sea level curve.

It is sometimes incorrectly assumed that there was only one sea level height associated with a given glacial or interglacial episode. The fact is that sea level is transitory, and several different sea levels could be recorded over a geologically short period of time. This is seen in Bermuda, where Pleistocene marine limestones of the same Formation appear to have been deposited at different sea level heights.

Also to be considered when studying sea level evidence, are the short term ocean level variations caused by major hurricanes. These, conceivably, could produce features which mimic some of those associated with a global sea level rise.