Sea level is known to have fluctuated by more than 100 metres over repeated glacial cycles resulting in recurring exposure, inundation and migration of coastlines. Landscape response to these changes in sea level, and the preservation of these features on continental shelves around Europe, are an invaluable resource for improving our understanding of human history and environmental change over geological time.
A harmonised classification of submerged landscape features (landforms and deposits) and palaeoenvironmental indicators utilises existing records (e.g. maps, geophysical data, databases, reports, literature) to assemble an inventory of submerged landscape data. Submerged landscapes features included are: coastal, riverine, subaerial, water points and arhcaeological data. Palaeoenvironmental information will comprise records of flora and fauna and indicators of former sea level. Chronological information (e.g. 14C) will be included as an attribute, and used to assign features to a specific palaeogeographic reconstruction. An assessment of Holocene sediment thickness will be made using existing geological maps and/or borehole databases. The compiled information on submerged landscape features, palaeoenvironmental indicators and age will be used to underpin palaeogeographic reconstructions across various time-frames.
The condition is only valid for the submerged landscapes shown on the EMODnet portal. The conditions for the real data held by the partners are probably different. See INSPIRE Directive for more details.
Metadata about metadata
6720a4df-bcd0-4c1b-8650-45d30a010855
British Geological Survey (BGS)
Marine Department,
Keyworth,
NG12 5GG,
United Kingdom