Sea Caves Reveal Rapid Rise in Ancient Ocean Levels
Friday, February 12, 2010 - 14:49
in Earth & Climate
Mallorca, Spain's largest island, is not just a desirable place for a Mediterranean vacation; it's also a treasure trove of the geologic record. That's thanks to coastal caves that precisely record in stone formations sea level as well as long-term geologic stability, relatively unaffected by tectonics or glacial uplift or subsidence. Plus, these caves have a series of formations, known as speleothems , like stalagmites, scattered at various levels, both above and below present-day sea level, thereby offering a record in the carbonate crust left on them by the lapping waters of sea level over time. [More]