Late Holocene differential subsidence and relative sea level rise in the Tabasco delta, Mexico

A detailed integrated study of relative sea-level rise (RSLR) and differential subsidence was carried out in the Tabasco delta, Mexico. The results indicate that the average background RSLR, mainly due to regional glacio-hydroisostasy, was on average approximately 0.2 m/kyr over the past 4000 years.

Differential compaction of subsurface strata due to overburden with beach-ridge sands, locally added a maximum of 1.0-1.5 m to this background RSLR. Natural subsurface compaction, therefore, significantly contributed to the low elevation of parts of this delta. The reconstructed RSLR values will serve as a reference for subsidence-impact evaluations of future activities, and are essential for an adequate management of the Tabasco delta.

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  • The new established index points for the RSLR reconstruction will be added to the .

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