The role of neo-tectonics in the variation of the relative mean sea level throughout the last 6000 years on the Taman Peninsula (Black Sea, Azov Sea, Russia)

Sediments, carbon-datings on seashells, allow us to reconstruct the evolution of the average sea level for some 6000 years on the Taman Peninsula. The current sea level, regionally, appears to be the highest level ever reached on the peninsula. It seems that for the Anapa area and Tchouchtchka Spit area it is possible to propose a sea level curve characterised by a slow, continuous rising during the past 6000 years. On the Taman Peninsula itself, the sedimentary record of this slow ascent has been distorted by a heavy tectonic subsidence. We have identified this neo-tectonic subsidence effect on at least two areas on the peninsula. The south of the peninsula, Burgaz Spit and Vityazevos Lagoon, is the most affected area. The Taman Gulf is an intermediate area. The tectonic subsidence is particularly noticeable from 1500 to 500 BC, which we believe to have been misinterpreted until now, and to be at the origin of the notion of "Phanagorian Regression"

The Holocene sea level story since 7500 BP - Lessons from the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black and the Azov Seas

This paper addresses the obvious controversy between the so far published sea level curves of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It starts with a discussion of the methods of reconstructing sea level curves, the evaluation of sea level indicators, and the application of the radiocarbon dating method. At least since 7500 BP, when the Black Sea and the Mediterranean were connected, both water bodies must have reacted synchronously on glacio-eustatic changes. It is documented that none of the Mediterranean sea level curves shows the major wiggles postulated for the Black Sea which are supposed to reflect trans- and regression cycles. The very shallow bathymetric condition of the Azov Sea and the northern Black Sea should have led to considerable and traceable shoreline displacements. There is neither archaeological nor historical evidence of mid- and late-Holocene regressions of several meters. The tectonic setting of the Black and Azov seas implicates that the tectonic signal often overrides the eustatic one. Therefore, only local sea level curves can be established. In this paper, based on vibracores, a locally valid sea level curve for the Taman Peninsula is demonstrated. Layers of paralic peat were used as sea level indicators and for C-14 dating. The shape of this curve follows the one known from the Mediterranean. This study also revealed that the present peninsula of Taman evolved out of a former archipelago. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved

Geomorphology and geoarchaeology of Black Sea coasts

Situated between Europe, the Caucasus and Anatolia, the Black Sea has a length of about 1,150 km from west to east and a width of 600 km from north to south. These dimensions yield a total area of around 410,000 km². In a geomorphological sense, the Black Sea is a relatively new entity in that its formation took place at the end of the Würmian glaciation, when rising sea levels connected the basin to the world ocean. This event, which has attracted significant research interest, is currently ..

Geomorphology and geoarchaeology of Black Sea coasts

Situated between Europe, the Caucasus and Anatolia, the Black Sea has a length of about 1,150 km from west to east and a width of 600 km from north to south. These dimensions yield a total area of around 410,000 km². In a geomorphological sense, the Black Sea is a relatively new entity in that its formation took place at the end of the Würmian glaciation, when rising sea levels connected the basin to the world ocean. This event, which has attracted significant research interest, is currently ..

Géomorphologie et géoarchéologie des littoraux de mer Noire

L’ambition de ce volume est de présenter l’actualité de la recherche, en proposant la publication de données inédites obtenues dans le cadre de programmes récents dans le domaine de la géoarchéologie et de la géographie physique appliquée à la protohistoire et aux époques historiques en mer Noire