Global cycles of sea-level rise and fall have operated throughout much of Earth's history. The exact timing and size of these eustatic changes, however, are as yet comparatively poorly- constrained, particularly for Pre-Pleistocene time. Detailed sea- level history curves are, in turn, essential to understanding the complex interplay between astronomical forcing mechanisms, and glacial and sea-level maxima and minima. The geologic record spanning Oligocene to Miocene time may offer key information as to the nature and timing of sea-level changes. This time-span was characterized by a number of sea-level cycles, reflecting ice-sheet waxing and waning. The Oligocene-Miocene record is particularly well-preserved in sedimentary rocks of the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain, and continental shelf-slope-rise region. This project seeks to refine the sea-level history curves for Oligocene-Miocene time through examination of high-resolution seismic reflection, Sr-isotope, delta-Oxygen-18, and other stratigraphic data from the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast. It is a renewal; previous work focused on the collection and preliminary analysis of the seismic reflection and biostratigraphic data. The project will impact planning and design of an upcoming Ocean Drilling Project Leg offshore New Jersey. The principal investigators are an interdisciplinary team who are well-qualified to perform this research project.
