A global compilation of U-series-dated fossil coral sea-level indicators for the Last Interglacial period (Marine Isotope Stage 5e)

Abstract

Abstract. This dataset is a comprehensive, global compilation of published uranium–thorium (U-series) dated fossil coral records from ∼ 150 000–110 000 years ago, as well as associated elevation measurements and sample metadata. In total, 1312 U-series measurements from 994 unique coral colonies are included in the current version of the dataset, all of which have been normalized and recalculated using the same decay constant values. Of these measurements, 444 analyses from 330 colonies are relative sea-level indicators, whereas 15 analyses from 13 colonies are marine limiting. Two example geochemical screening criteria have been included to assist users with identifying altered fossil corals that display geochemical open-system behavior, and the originally published interpretations on age quality have been preserved within the sample metadata. Additionally, a clear distinction has been made between coral colonies that are in primary growth position, which may be used for relative sea-level reconstructions, and colonies that have been transported/reworked, which cannot be used for these purposes. Future research efforts involving fossil coral sea-level reconstructions should emphasize an “integrated” and holistic approach that combines careful assessment of U-series age quality with high-precision surveying techniques and detailed facies/stratigraphic observations. This database is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4309796 (Chutcharavan and Dutton, 2020).