Long-Term Sea-Level Fluctuations Driven by Ocean Basin Dynamics

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1151540
• Publication Date: 2008-03-06T22:10:35Z
• Authors: R. Dietmar Müller; Maria Sdrolias; Carmen Gaina; Bernhard Steinberger; Christian Heine
• Keywords: Oceanic basin; Continental Margin

Earth's long-term sea-level history is characterized by widespread continental flooding in the Cretaceous period (∼145 to 65 million years ago), followed gradual regression of inland seas. However, published estimates Late high differ half an order magnitude, from ∼40 ∼250 meters above present level. The low estimate based on stratigraphy New Jersey margin. By assimilating marine geophysical data into reconstructions ancient ocean basins, we model a sea level that 170 (85 270) higher than it today. We use mantle convection suggest subsided 105 180 past 70 because North America's westward passage over subducted Farallon plate. This mechanism reconciles margin–based with basin reconstructions.