New Perspectives on the Quaternary Paleogeography of Coastal Ecuador and Its Relationships with Climate Change

Well-preserved Quaternary sedimentary sequences in the central coast of Ecuador have provided sufficient relevant information for paleogeographic reconstruction and climatic evolution, from stratigraphic, geochemical, biological analysis. The Jaramijo canton site is one most remarkable results stratigraphic correlation lithological units with delineation a paleo sea-cliff age 14C 43,245 ± 460 B.P. (belonging to MIS-3). This MIS-3 associated period glaciation, but data obtained, such as δ 18O, indicate paleo-temperature values −1 −1.5, which are interpreted this study, that has an interstadial phase (warm years glacial stage). Two more paleo-coastal cliffs been mapped orthophoto analysis, these younger. levels analyzed study include deposits occurred MIS 3 1. Holocene transgression modified increased level coastal climate hazard by sea rise. Indeed, paleo-coastlines evidenced bathymetric depth contours −5.5 m −7.6 m, at 440 650 distances up-to-date coastline. For Jaramijó site, rate cliff-erosion wave-cut platforms order 1.1 2.4 m/yr. These rates, moderate high vulnerability index, can be if we consider mathematical models estimated sea-level rise scenario be, 2100, about +1 +1.4 m.