Coral Reef Island Initiation and Development Under Higher Than Present Sea Levels

摘要: Coral reef islands are considered to be among the most vulnerable environments future sea level rise. However, emerging data suggest that different island types, in contrasting locations, have formed under conditions relation past level. Uniform assumptions about futures rise may thus inappropriate. Using chronostratigraphic analysis from atoll rim (sand‐ and gravel‐based) southern Maldives, we show while building initiated at times around (~2,800 ~4,200 calibrated years before present windward leeward sites, respectively), higher than levels associated high‐energy wave events were actually critical initiation. Findings projected increases magnitude of distal could reactivate this process regime, which, if there is an appropriate sediment supply, facilitate further vertical building.