Unlocking Earth’s History: A Deep Dive into 540 Million Years of Sea Level Changes Revealed by Scientists

Scientists have made a significant leap in understanding Earth’s sea levels over the past 540 million years. Historically, researchers could only reconstruct sea levels on a massive scale, typically over millions of years. However, a new study from Utrecht University, along with teams from the UK and the US, has successfully mapped these fluctuations on a much shorter timeline—thousands of years.

The findings were published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters on July 3, 2025. Dr. Douwe van der Meer from Utrecht University, who led the study, emphasizes that comprehending rapid sea level changes is crucial for understanding subsurface structures and green energy resources.

Sea levels are primarily influenced by two factors: plate tectonics, which dictates the ocean’s depth between continents, and land ice, which affects how much water is available. Van der Meer notes, “In about a million years, we can obtain a rough average of sea levels, but rapid changes in sea levels could be overlooked without enough data.”

Reading Geological Layers

To estimate these short-term changes, the researchers analyzed sedimentary rocks, much like counting tree rings. For instance, claystone indicates deep water while sandstone suggests shallower coastlines. This analogy helps scientists understand historical sea levels during different climatic conditions.

Interestingly, the research shows that during colder periods with polar ice, ice ages can lead to significant sea level changes of up to 100 meters over only tens of thousands of years. This detail, previously difficult to ascertain, has now been recalibrated with advanced calculations linking climate and ice sheet size over millions of years.

What They Found

The study reports that ancient sea level changes align closely with fossil-based reconstructions, marking the first accurate quantification of sea levels on such a short timescale. For instance, during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods—times when dinosaurs roamed—the sea levels fluctuated less dramatically due to minimal land ice. In contrast, major fluctuations occurred during the late Carboniferous period, which was marked by a significant ice cap.

Real-World Applications

This improved understanding of past sea levels has many practical applications today. Researchers can now create better maps for climate models and understand the geological conditions for various energy storage solutions, like CO₂ and hydrogen. For example, sandstone deposited during low sea levels can serve as reservoirs, while claystone can act as a seal to prevent leakage.

The insights gained can also aid in selecting suitable locations for storing radioactive waste, as certain layers of claystone indicate high sea levels when they were deposited.

In a world increasingly concerned with climate change and energy sustainability, this enhanced understanding of ancient sea levels provides crucial context for today’s environmental challenges. The study by Van der Meer and his colleagues opens new avenues for research and application, offering lessons from the planet’s geological history to inform future decisions.

For more details, you can check out the original research study here.

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