Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef
Abstract The timing, rate, and magnitude of rapid sea-level rise during Meltwater Pulse 1B (MWP-1B, ~11.45–11.1 ka) remain controversial. Robust constraints on past MWPs are crucial to future predictions of global ice sheet instability. Using 154 new and existing U/Th and calibrated 14C-AMS dates fr...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0 |
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| author | Jody M. Webster Yusuke Yokoyama Marc Humblet Juan Carlos Braga Tezer Esat Stewart Fallon Edouard Bard |
| author_facet | Jody M. Webster Yusuke Yokoyama Marc Humblet Juan Carlos Braga Tezer Esat Stewart Fallon Edouard Bard |
| author_sort | Jody M. Webster |
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| description | Abstract The timing, rate, and magnitude of rapid sea-level rise during Meltwater Pulse 1B (MWP-1B, ~11.45–11.1 ka) remain controversial. Robust constraints on past MWPs are crucial to future predictions of global ice sheet instability. Using 154 new and existing U/Th and calibrated 14C-AMS dates from coral, algae, and microbialites recovered during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 325, this study reconstructs reef development and relative sea-level (RSL) rise on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We identify 107 in situ RSL index points while refining estimates of vertical accretion and paleowater depth. Results show RSL rise during MWP-1B did not exceed 10.2–7.7 m or rates of 30–23 mm/yr, and was likely less. The GBR did not drown, indicating resilience to MWP-1B. These findings are more consistent with Tahiti and other Pacific records and do not support the Barbados record of MWP-1B as an abrupt step in global sea level, with a magnitude > 11 m. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f8f4e8ae26649f5ab6449a67689ee74 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-2f8f4e8ae26649f5ab6449a67689ee742025-08-20T02:05:41ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-06-011611710.1038/s41467-025-59858-0Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier ReefJody M. Webster0Yusuke Yokoyama1Marc Humblet2Juan Carlos Braga3Tezer Esat4Stewart Fallon5Edouard Bard6Geocoastal Research Group, School of Geosciences, The University of SydneyAtmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of TokyoDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya UniversityDepartment of Stratigraphy and Paleontology, University of Granada, Campus de FuentenuevaResearch School of Physics, The Australian National UniversityResearch School of Earth Sciences, Australian National UniversityCEREGE, Aix-Marseille University CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Collège de France, Technopôle de l’ArboisAbstract The timing, rate, and magnitude of rapid sea-level rise during Meltwater Pulse 1B (MWP-1B, ~11.45–11.1 ka) remain controversial. Robust constraints on past MWPs are crucial to future predictions of global ice sheet instability. Using 154 new and existing U/Th and calibrated 14C-AMS dates from coral, algae, and microbialites recovered during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 325, this study reconstructs reef development and relative sea-level (RSL) rise on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We identify 107 in situ RSL index points while refining estimates of vertical accretion and paleowater depth. Results show RSL rise during MWP-1B did not exceed 10.2–7.7 m or rates of 30–23 mm/yr, and was likely less. The GBR did not drown, indicating resilience to MWP-1B. These findings are more consistent with Tahiti and other Pacific records and do not support the Barbados record of MWP-1B as an abrupt step in global sea level, with a magnitude > 11 m.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0 |
| spellingShingle | Jody M. Webster Yusuke Yokoyama Marc Humblet Juan Carlos Braga Tezer Esat Stewart Fallon Edouard Bard Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef Nature Communications |
| title | Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef |
| title_full | Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef |
| title_fullStr | Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef |
| title_full_unstemmed | Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef |
| title_short | Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef |
| title_sort | constraints on sea level rise during meltwater pulse 1b from the great barrier reef |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0 |
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