Timing of the last-interglacial high sea level on the Seychelles Islands, Indian ocean

Corals from the Seychelles Islands, Indian Ocean, occur mainly as small coralline algae-vermetid remnants found in cavities adhering to the rock surface, and they rarely attain more than 2 m(2) in area. Samples of Goniastrea and Porites from elevations between 1.7 and 6 m above present mean sea level were dated by TIMS U-238-U-234-Th-230 techniques. The ages from well-preserved corals lie between 131,000 and 122,000 yr B.P., in agreement with most other observations of the last-interglacial sea level. Field evidence and dating from high marine limestones from two sections at La Digue Island indicate a period of coral buildup until 131,000 yr B.P., followed by a drop in sea level between 131,000 and 122,000 yr B.P. (C) 1999 University of Washington.