The New Jersey Margin Scientific Drilling Project (IODP Expedition 313): Untangling the Record of Global and Local Sea-Level Changes

Abstract

Much of the world is currently experiencing shoreline retreat due to global sea level rising at the rate of 3–4 mm yr -1. This rate will likely increase and result in a net rise to roughly 1 m above present sea-level by the year 2100 (e.g., Rahmstorf, 2007; Solomon et al., 2007), with significant consequences for coastal populations, infrastructures, and ecosystems. Preparing for this future scenario calls for careful study of past changes in sea level and a solid understanding of processes that govern the shoreline response to thesechanges. One of the best ways to assemble this knowledge is to examine the geologic records of previous global sea-level changes. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 313 set out to do this by recovering a record of global and local sea-level change in sediments deposited along the coast of eastern North America during the Icehouse world of the past 35 m.y. What we learn from this record—the factors driving sea-level changes, and the impact of thischange on nearshore environments—will help us understand what lies ahead in a warming world

Lower Cretaceous Barents Sea strata: epicontinental basin configuration, timing, correlation and depositional dynamics

“…Basin margin clinoforms are considered too large and unlikely in the basinal setting, and delta clinoforms are generally an order of magnitude smaller. A restoration of clinoform heights and corresponding foreset dip angles according to an average seismic velocity of 2900 m s -1 and a maximum burial of 2300 m yields typical lobe heights of c. 200 m. This suggests the lobes represent an intrashelf platform strata Midtkandal et al 2019), similar to those described by Mountain & Proust (2010).…”

“…A hierarchy of clinoform scales that range from shoreline clinoforms (< 40 m high) to shelf-slope-basin clinoforms (hundreds of metres to kilometre-scale) has been proposed and refined in several published works, such as Helland-Hansen & Hampson (2009) and Patruno et al (2015). Mountain & Proust (2010) and Hodgson et al (2018) highlighted the necessity of applying the term 'intrashelf' clinoforms and corresponding clinothems for progradational sedimentary volumes that are clearly located on the continental shelf landwards of the shelf edge.…”

Contrast in the process response of stacked clinothems to the shelf-slope rollover

“…The physical transition from shelf to slope is easily identifi able in horizontally shortened seismic images as a break in slope (Suter and Berryhill, 1985;Sydow and Roberts, 1994;Kolla et al, 2000;Hiscott, 2001;Pinous et al, 2001;Krassay and Totterdell, 2003;Houseknecht et al, 2009;Ryan et al, 2009). When combined with information from cored wells, integrated studies have allowed the geometries of clinoforms to be defi ned and mapped, and rates of margin progradation established (e.g., Mountain et al, 2010).…”

Influence of Mantle Dynamic Topographical Variations on US Mid‐Atlantic Continental Margin Estimates of Sea‐Level Change

“…The first consists of estimates derived from 14 sites located onshore in New Jersey and just offshore (Browning et al., 2006; Kominz et al., 2008; Miller et al., 2005). The second comprises the backstripping estimates from three coreholes collected 43–65 km offshore NJ during IODP Expedition 313 (Kominz et al., 2016; Mountain et al., 2010). The third is the Bethany Beach, Delaware backstripping record (Browning et al., 2006).…”