Using ecological and chronological data to improve proxy-based paleo sea level reconstructions
The first meeting of the new phase (2019-2021) of the PAGES and INQUA working group PALeo constraints on SEA level rise (PALSEA) will focus on refining proxy-based reconstructions of past sea level. Sea-level rise due to polar ice sheet decay in a warming world is one of the most important, and most uncertain aspects associated with climate change. Because the instrumental record is short and changes to date have been modest, observations from the recent past provide at best a limited vantage point from which to gauge the future. The geologic record, in contrast, features major, and sometimes rapid, changes in ice sheets and sea level that remain to be fully explored and explained. Recent methodological improvements bear the potential to reduce uncertainties in local sea-level reconstructions, which will be crucial for reconciling sea level-based estimates of past ice sheet volumes.
The meeting will run over 3 days:
- Day 1 (July 21st) will be dedicated to the ecological and environmental interpretation of proxy-based datasets.
- Day 2 (July 22nd) will focus on cutting-edge chronological attribution techniques, which is critical to link sea level data to climate archives in order to better understand the drivers of change.
- During day 3 (July 23rd) the participants will be split in two separate groups, each working on one specific time period, to refine reconstructions and database protocols based upon the discussions from the previous days. One group will focus on the Holocene, coordinated by the HOLSEA (an INQUA working group) leader Nicole Khan, while the second group led by Alessio Rovere will work towards the inception of the World Atlas of Last Interglacial Shorelines.
We welcome abstracts that fit with the themes of the first two days of the meeting on state-of-the-art approaches which aim to improve proxy-based reconstruction of past sea level. We particularly welcome submissions from disciplines beyond traditional paleo sea level research that may broaden community expertise. Abstract submission closes at 23:59 GMT on the 27th February 2019. Attendance will be capped to help promote discussion. Acceptance of abstracts will be confirmed by 15th March 2019 following review by the organizing committee for fit with the meeting (irrespective of career stage). Registration will close on the 18th April 2019.