A large portion of our work focuses on integrating population genetics with the geologic and oceanographic history of the regions that we study. During the Pleistocene, glacial buildup on land resulted in significant decreases in sea levels that profoundly altered coastal environments. Paleogeographic reconstructions are essential to our research. Below are animations made from the work of several authors that are useful in visualizing the changes in oceanographic environments of both the Indo-Pacific and North West Atlantic. CLICK on the text below any of the figures below to launch the animations. Higher resolution animations are available by request.
Another excellent animation of Indonesian sea levels can be found at http://sahultime.monash.edu.au/explore.html.
Indo-Pacific Sea Level Animation
Indo Pacific Sea Levels-Click Here
This animation is developed from Voris (2000). It depicts the rise of the Sunda and Sahul shelves as sea levels fell from near modern levels to 130m below present as the result of the build up of glaciers on land during the Pleistocene. This animation shows the sea levels going back to the last glacial maximum, although there were numerous similar Pleistocene glacial cycles and sea level fluctuations. Maps belong to the Field Museum of Natural History and are used with the permission of H. Voris.
Voris HK (2000) Maps of Pleistocene sea levels in Southeast Asia: shorelines, river systems and time durations. Journal of Biogeography 27: 1153-1167.
Sunda Shelf Sea Level Animation
Sunda Shelf Sea Levels-Click Here
This animation is developed from Sathiamurthy & Voris (2006). It depicts the rise of the Sunda shelf as sea levels fell from near modern levels to 130m below present as the result of the build up of glaciers on land during the Pleistocene. This animation shows the sea levels going back to the last glacial maximum, although there were numerous similar Pleistocene glacial cycles and sea level fluctuations. Maps belong to the Field Museum of Natural History and are used with the permission of H. Voris.
Sathiamurth E, and Voris HK (2006) Maps of Holocene sea transgression and submerged lakes on the Sunda Shelf. Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University, Supplement 2:1-43.
North-West Atlantic Sea Level Animation
North West Atlantic Sea Level-Click Here
This animation depicts the changes in the coastline of the Western North Atlantic during from present to 13,000 years before present following Shaw et al (2002). It shows the dramatic changes of the coastal environments as a result of lowered sea levels during Pleistocene glacial cycles. Notice that Nova Scotia become separated from North America approximately 13kbp.
Shaw, J, Gareau, P, and Courtney RC (2002) Palaeogeography of Atlantic Canada 13-0kyr. Quaternary Science Reviews, 21:1861-1878.
NOTE: All animations may be freely used for non-commercial educational purposes. All other uses require written consent.