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Thorium-230 ages of corals and duration of the last interglacial sea-level high stand on Aohu, Hawaii

January 1, 1994

Thorium-230 ages of emergent marine deposits on Oahu, Hawaii, have a uniform distribution of ages from ~114,000 to ~131,000 years, indicating a duration for the last interglacial sea-level high stand of ~17,000 years, in contrast to a duration of ~8000 years inferred from the orbitally tuned marine oxygen isotope record. Sea level on Oahu rose to ??? 1 to 2 meters higher than present by 131,000 years ago or ~6000 years earlier than inferred from the marine record. Although the latter record suggests a shift back to glacial conditions beginning at ~119,000 years ago, the Oahu coral ages indicate a near present sea level until ~114,000 years ago.

Publication Year 1994
Title Thorium-230 ages of corals and duration of the last interglacial sea-level high stand on Aohu, Hawaii
Authors B. J. Szabo, K. R. Ludwig, D.R. Muhs, K. R. Simmons
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70018038
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse