The Post-glacial marine transgression in N. Ireland-Conclustion from Esturine and raised beach deposits: A contrast

Abstract

Studies of the raised beaches in Co. Down have suggested a water level of + 30 ft. (9.2 m.) I.O.D. in the Atlantic period (c. 8,000-5,000 B.P.). Stratigraphical, palynological and radiocarbon investigations of estuarine deposits in Co. Down indicate that the maximum of the Post-glacial relative sea-level rise was shortly before 3,000 B.P. when high-water reached to 12 ft. (c. 3.6 m.) above present mean sea-level. The regression since the maximum is apparently of the order of 4 ft. (c. 1.2 m.). These findings stand in contrast to earlier tentative conclusions from open coast 'raised beach' studies that the sea rose a;t its maximum to c. 22 ft. (6.46 m.) above mean sea-level before 5,000 B.P.