Morphology of the Belize barrier reef as indicator for Atlantic sea-level changes during the last glacial cycle

High-resolution bathymetric data of the Belize Barrier Reef reveals distinct paleo-sea-level positions, offering a detailed record of Atlantic sea-level changes during the last glacial cycle. The study identifies laterally persistent elevation clusters along ridge-crest lineaments and reef-wall notches, indicating periods of stable or slow sea-level change—such as a possible stillstand near ~20 m water depth during the early Holocene and prolonged late Pleistocene stillstands at ~80–105 m preceding the Last Glacial Maximum. The absence of vertical offsets between sectors suggests negligible neotectonic deformation, reinforcing the reef's role as a reliable archive for reconstructing late Quaternary sea-level dynamics.

Hosmann, S. L., Fabbri, S. C., Anselmetti, F. S., & Gischler, E. (2026). Morphology of the Belize barrier reef as indicator for Atlantic sea-level changes during the last glacial cycle. Marine Geology, 500, 107848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2026.107848