Holocene Relative Sea-Level Changes Along the Southern Coast of Bodrum Peninsula, SW Anatolia

Abstract

Bodrum Peninsula, which developed under the influence of the extensional tectonic regime in the west of the Anatolian plate, is one of the areas where indicators reflecting relative sea-level changes are seen above the present sea level. These indicators appear in different types throughout the peninsula. This study examined shorelines from sea level to +2.6 m at 6 locations on the southern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula. Suitable indicators for dating were found at two different locations in the study area, and two relative sea-level indicators using mollusk shells were dated by radiocarbon method. One of the indicators is a +1.3 m high beach deposit at Gerenkuyu and was dated to 2678.5±79.5 yr BP. The other indicator is a +1.2 m high beach deposit at Gerindere, which is thought to be compatible with the tidal notch and dated to 2241±88 yr BP. Based on the age data and the reliability of tidal notches as a shoreline indicator, the uplift rate of this indicator in Gerindere for the last 2241±88 years has been calculated to be 0.53 mm/yr.