Holocene raised beach stratigraphy and sea-level history of Kizahasi Beach, Skarvsnes, Luetzow-Holm Bay, Antarctica

Twelve radiocarbon (14C) dates of in situ fossil shells of Laternula elliptica from deltaic sediments from the raised Kizahasi Beach with well-marked stepped topography allow us to define Holocene relative sea-level change at Skarvsnes, Luetzow-Holm Bay region. The upper edge of a step usually corresponds to the upper end of a topset bed of deltaic sediments. The sedimentary structures and topography from near to the present high-tide line to shallow marine depths are similar to the deltaic sedimentary structures preserved in the stepped topography. Considering this similarity, the elevation of the upper end of topset beds, and the relationship to foreset or bottomset beds, indicates the elevation of a former high-tide level at the time the shell was alive. This relationship can be applied to the estimation of the elevation of former shorelines and the reconstruction of Holocene relative sea-level change. Stable sea levels are identified at 17-13 m a.s.l. during 7200-5500 14C yr BP, at 11-9 m during 5000-4500 14C yr BP, and at <6 m after 4000 14C yr BP. (author). 18 refs., 6 figs.; 1 tab