Last interglacial sea levels within the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Caribbean Sea

Abstract. During the last interglacial (LIG) volume of additional water in world's oceans was large enough to raise global sea levels about 6–9 m higher than present levels. However, LIG vary regionally and those regional differences hold clues past distribution ice sheets local rates subsidence tectonic uplift. In this study, I used a standardized database template review summarize existing constraints on across northern Gulf Mexico Caribbean shoreline Yucatán Peninsula. total, extracted 32 sea-level indicators including insertion 16 U-series ages corals, 1 electron spin resonance age, 2 amino acid racemization ages, 26 luminescence ages. Most dated for are based optically stimulated (OSL) beach deposits mappable shoreline. This extends from Florida Panhandle through south Texas but is buried or removed by Mississippi River most Louisiana. A similar feature observed satellite images Rio Grande within Mexican portions has yet be dated. Elevations measured close modern coast point less ∼5 much Mexico. few, albeit undated, same located at more inland locations up +7.2 m, attesting 7 differential between coastal sites. Across Peninsula, dating corals provided main index points Other carbonate features such as ridges eolianites have also been described rely their dating. The maximum elevation coral-based relative (RSL) estimates decrease around +6 Peninsula near Cancún, Mexico, low −6 beneath southern atolls Belize, although discussion continues validity these corals. If lower-elevation below-present elevations may result vertical motion along faults dipping into Cayman Trough. South Belize only one purported coral Isla de Roatán off Honduras likely tectonically uplifted 37.2 m. Thus siliciclastic shorelines Guatemala well southwestern remains poorly constrained potential venue future research. paper available open access spreadsheet format Simms (2020), link: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4556163.