Geology of Coral Terraces, Huon Peninsula, New Guinea: A Study of Quaternary Tectonic Movements and Sea-Level Changes

Research Article| April 01, 1974 Geology of Coral Terraces, Huon Peninsula, New Guinea: A Study of Quaternary Tectonic Movements and Sea-Level Changes JOHN CHAPPELL JOHN CHAPPELL 1Department of Geography, The Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information JOHN CHAPPELL 1Department of Geography, The Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, Australia Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1974) 85 (4): 553–570. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<553:GOCTHP>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation JOHN CHAPPELL; Geology of Coral Terraces, Huon Peninsula, New Guinea: A Study of Quaternary Tectonic Movements and Sea-Level Changes. GSA Bulletin 1974;; 85 (4): 553–570. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<553:GOCTHP>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A spectacular flight of terraces occurs on the northeast seaboard of Huon Peninsula, New Guinea. The terraces are clearly developed for more than 80 km and rise to over 600 m. They are built dominantly of coral reefs but include subordinate deltaic gravel formations. Interpretation of the reef succession depends on analysis of facies changes across a number of sections, and this is developed after prior analysis of reefs, lagoons, deltas, and submarine terraces on the modern coast. A record of sea-level changes relative to the rising land is determined for each section. Radiometric dating of the terrace reefs indicates Pleistocene sea-level maxima at the following times (yr B.P.): 30,000, 40,000 to 50,000, 60,000, 80,000, 105,000, 120,000, 140,000, 185,000, 220,000. Good agreement with dated reefs elsewhere reinforces these age estimates. Tectonic uplift has varied along the terraced area, because heights of terraces diminish from southeast to northwest, parallel to the coast; and yet records of relative sea-level changes are similar between sections. By assuming that upper Pleistocene interglacial sea levels were little different from the present level, tectonic and sea-level changes can in principle be separated. Using least-squares search, a “best estimate” sea-level curve and corresponding tectonic uplift pattern are derived on the basis of 11 sections. The sea-level curve compares well with Emiliani's generalized paleotemperature curve for the upper Quaternary. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.