Miocene sea-level falls related to the geologic history of Midway Atoll

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 1987 Miocene sea-level falls related to the geologic history of Midway Atoll J. M. Lincoln; J. M. Lincoln 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. O. Schlanger S. O. Schlanger 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. M. Lincoln 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201 S. O. Schlanger 1Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1987) 15 (5): 454–457. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<454:MSFRTT>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. M. Lincoln, S. O. Schlanger; Miocene sea-level falls related to the geologic history of Midway Atoll. Geology 1987;; 15 (5): 454–457. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<454:MSFRTT>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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A period of atoll emergence results in the development of a karst surface on the atoll. Upon resubmergence, this surface is preserved as a subsurface solution unconformity that can be identified by petrographic characteristics and a distinctive stable isotope signature imprinted by subaerial or phreatic diagenesis. Determination of the magnitude of Miocene sea-level falls by considering subsidence rates and depths to solution unconformities must take into account the lowering of the emergent atoll surface by dissolution. Previously, the depth to a Miocene solution unconformity below Midway Atoll was assumed to record a maximum highstand of sea level that preceded a period of island emergence. However, because of surface dissolution, the solution unconformity must represent some elevation between a past highstand and a subsequent lowstand. The subsurface stratigraphy of Midway Atoll shows that a late Miocene sea-level fall of 75–125 m below present sea level took place. The magnitude of this fall is greater than that previously determined, on the basis of stable isotope data, from Midway Atoll but approximates Miocene sea-level falls determined by seismic stratigraphic methods. 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.