Relative sea-level change around the Irish coast

Abstract

An accurate picture of relative sea-level (RSL) change is a prerequisite for understanding the Quaternary history of Ireland. Consequently, sea-level research has been a prominent feature of Irish Quaternary science since its foundations in the 19th century. Over the intervening years, the methods used to study past RSL have evolved, although many of the fundamental challenges associated with its precise reconstruction remain. Ireland’s RSL history is complex and highly variable in space and over time. The quest to better understand the multiple, interacting processes driving these changes is a work in progress. This chapter provides a synopsis of RSL change around the coast of Ireland, with particular reference to recently published work and areas of current debate. It reviews the information obtained from the study of raised shorelines, focussing on the evidence for ‘pre-glacial’ sea levels. It then examines the general patterns of RSL change since the Last Glacial Maximum as inferred from geological data and geophysical modelling. The chapter concludes by briefly discussing the timing and significance of RSL maxima and minima around the Irish coast along with their implications for Ireland’s physical connection to Britain and Europe.