Reconstructing the evolution of sea level during past warmer epochs such as the Pliocene provides insight into the response of sea level and ice sheets to prolonged warming. For my research I use phreatic overgrowths on speleothems from the western Mediterranean (Mallorca, Spain).
The results show that during the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period, which was on average 2 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial period, the global mean sea level was about 16.2 meters higher than today. Our record is unique owing to its clear relationship to sea level, its reliable U–Pb ages and its long timespan, which allows us to quantify uncertainties on potential uplift.
