Journal article
Holocene tectonic histories for five islands in the south-central Lau group, south Pacific
The Holocene, Vol.5(2), pp.160-171
1995
Abstract
Low-level (<30 m) evidence for emergence is reported for five islands along the south-central Lau Ridge, which has a well-documented history of late Cenozoic uplift. Most of the evidence is erosional, some of the lowest is emerged reef and beachrock: all can be linked to higher relative sea levels. Correlations are established between islands and most of the series of emerged shorelines found to exhibit characteristics of coseismically uplifted series elsewhere. Dates for various shorelines allow ages and recurrence intervals of coseismic-uplift events to be tentatively established for all islands. By reconciling this with contemporary sealevel changes, magnitudes of coseismic uplift are obtained for the middle and late Holocene. The islands of Moce and Oneata have experienced fewest coseismic-uplift events with small uplift magnitudes. Four coseismic-uplift events are identified for Lakeba with an average magnitude of 2.63 m and an assumed recurrence interval of 1045 years: no uplift has apparently occurred since 3800 BP. Five coseismic-uplift events are identified for Namuka-i-Lau with an average magnitude of 2.08 m and an assumed recurrence interval of 1045 years: no uplift has apparently occurred since 2360 BP. Three coseismic-uplift events occurred on Nayau, averaging 1.53 m in magnitude and recurring every 1045 years: no uplift has occurred since 2240 BP. The approach used here has implications not only for understanding tectonic history but may eventually prove a useful tool for isolating Holocene sealevel history in tectonically active areas. © 1995, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.
Details
- Title
- Holocene tectonic histories for five islands in the south-central Lau group, south Pacific
- Authors
- Patrick Nunn (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji
- Publication details
- The Holocene, Vol.5(2), pp.160-171
- Publisher
- Sage Publications Ltd.
- Date published
- 1995
- DOI
- 10.1177/095968369500500204
- ISSN
- 0959-6836
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450590202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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