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Holocene sea-level history and coastal evolution of the north-western Fenland, eastern England

Brew, David S.; Horton, Benjamin P.; Evans, G.; Innes, James B.; Shennan, Ian

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Authors

David S. Brew

Benjamin P. Horton

G. Evans

James B. Innes



Abstract

Holocene relative sea-level reconstructions reveal spatial and temporal patterns, indicating the importance of regional- to local-scale processes for understanding coastal evolution. We reconstruct the Holocene sea-level history and coastal evolution of the north-western Fenland using detailed analyses of lithostratigraphy, microfossil (foraminifera and pollen) assemblages and a suite of 18 radiocarbon dates. We illustrate the balance between sea-level change, sedimentary palaeoenvironment and coastline movements. An initial transgression occurred c. 7700 cal. BP as sea level rose around 8 mm/yr, reaching its maximum inland extent c. 4150 cal. BP. As the rate of sea-level rise reduced to less than 2 mm/yr, a series of local regressive and transgressive phases followed. A regional transgressive event inundated much of the area after c. 2600 cal. BP. Salt marsh peat and intertidal mud dominate inland sequences whereas further seawards, intertidal and subtidal nearshore sand occur, comparable with modern sediments of the adjacent Wash embayment. The north-western Fenland sequence shows similarities with sequences in southern Fenland and The Wash, indicating some regional sea-level control.

Citation

Brew, D. S., Horton, B. P., Evans, G., Innes, J. B., & Shennan, I. (2015). Holocene sea-level history and coastal evolution of the north-western Fenland, eastern England. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 126(1), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2014.12.001

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2015
Deposit Date Jan 26, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Proceedings of the Geologists' Association
Print ISSN 0016-7878
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 126
Issue 1
Pages 72-85
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2014.12.001
Keywords Sea-level change, Coastline changes, Foraminifera, Sediment supply, Late quaternary.

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Copyright Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 126, 1, February 2015, 10.1016/j.pgeola.2014.12.001.





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