Title: Evolution of coastal landforms during the Holocene Epoch along the west and southeast coasts of Sri Lanka

Authors: Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake

Addresses: Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Shimane University, Nishikawatsu-cho 1060, Matsue 690-8504, Japan

Abstract: Holocene sea-level reconstructions are of broad interest in the island of Sri Lanka as it provides mainly information on the history of coastal systems. In addition, it is critical to predicting future human-induced sea-level changes on the island. This study deals with the regional correlation of evolution stage of coastal landforms with respect to the Holocene sea-level changes in Sri Lanka. Mud dominant sediments in the wet zone and relatively sand particles dominant sediments in the dry zone reveal that sediment distribution in coastal terrestrial archives are prominently controlled by climatic characteristics. The lower sedimentary succession (Facies 2) can probably indicate the time of mid-Holocene highstands. It is followed by expansion of beach ridges and headlands since marine transgression. The upper sedimentary succession (Facies 1) can probably suggest semi-closed or closed brackish to terrestrial systems after the mid-Holocene highstands.

Keywords: coastal landforms; Holocene Epoch; stratigraphic units; sea-level changes; Sri Lanka; Indian Ocean; climate change; radiocarbon dating; sea-level curves; sediment distribution.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2016.074884

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2016 Vol.17 No.1, pp.60 - 69

Received: 04 Apr 2015
Accepted: 29 Oct 2015
Published online: 22 Feb 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article