Sensitivity Analysis of the Amplitude of Early Cretaceous Eustatic Changes Using Forward Stratigraphic Modelling (Resolution Guyot)

Summary Multiple studies focused on eustatic changes during the Cretaceous as an example of greenhouse world. Most of these studies were performed in local areas. These sea level estimates might be derived from localised effects and therefore reflect relative sea level changes rather than eustasy. Based on that, sensitivity analysis to test the applicability of using the Cretaceous ESL curves of Rohl & ogg (1996), Sahagian et al. (1996) , Hardenbol et al. (1998) , and Haq (2014) is crucial to validate or refute them. To do that, forward stratigraphic modelling of one of the Mid-Pacific mountain guyots, Resolution Guyot, is performed. The study area is unique as it represents deposition of Cretaceous carbonates (growing at sea-level) on an isolated volcanic island away from the influence of continents and tectonic activity. The initial results show that Haq (2014) ESL curve wasn’t perfectly fitting some of our constraints, and some of the cycles need finer subdivision. The outcomes of this study will constrain the fluctuations of ESL in the Cretaceous and serve as a test to whether the amplitude and timing of regionally-derived eustatic curves are valid for other locations, or whether these curves are too influenced by specific local conditions in the areas.