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9.13: Sea Level Changes Caused by Continental Glaciation Cycles

  • Page ID
    10292
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    Sea Level Changes Caused by Continental Glaciation Cycles

    Sea level changes caused by the melting of continental glaciers (Antarctica and Greenland) are some of the gravest concerns associated with global warming. Why we know that sea level is changing because vast amounts of data are now available. The observable effects of sea level changes are preserved everywhere around the world's ocean basins. The study of sedimentary deposits of all geologic ages has revealed that sea level has risen and fallen many times, sometimes in the range of hundreds of meters (Figure 9.29).

    Sea level fluxuations during Phanerozoic Era
    Figure 9.29. Sea level changes through Earth history.


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