3.1.2.3: Coastal Landscape Development: Long term Sea level change.

Long Term Sea Level Change

Looking at the average position of the sea level relative to the land. Change happens over the long term i.e. over thousands of years. 

Change can result from one of three processes...

1. Eustatic Change

2. Isostatic Change

3. Tectonic Change. 

Eustatic Change

This refers to a rise or fall in a level of  the sea relative to the land. This is a global phenomena as its influence is world wide. It is a consequence of global temperature change. 

For example, the Ice Age (periods of global cooling) created a fall in sea level because water was stored on the land as snow and ice. Here, the hydrological (water cycle) was interrupted by falling global temperatures/ percipitation does not return to the sea.  Instead it stays in store on the land as snow and ice resulting in a fall in sea level/ base level. 

Similarly with the melting of the ice sheets during interglacial periods results in a risse in sea level as land ice melts and returns…