@article {2596, title = {A sea-level database for the Pacific coast of central North America}, journal = {Quaternary Science Reviews}, volume = {113}, year = {2015}, month = {Jan-04-2015}, pages = {78 - 92}, abstract = {A database of published and new relative sea-level (RSL) data for the past 16 ka constrains the sea-level histories of the Pacific coast of central North America (southern British Columbia to central California). Our reevaluation of the stratigraphic context and radiocarbon age of sea-level indicators from geological and archaeological investigations yields 600 sea-level index points and 241 sea-level limiting points. We subdivided the database into 12 regions based on the availability of data, tectonic setting, and distance from the former Cordilleran ice sheet. Most index (95\%) and limiting points (54\%) are <7 ka; older data come mainly from British Columbia and San Francisco Bay. The stratigraphic position of points was used as a first-order assessment of compaction. Formerly glaciated areas show variable RSL change; where data are present, highstands of RSL occur immediately post-deglaciation and in the mid to late Holocene. Sites at the periphery and distant to formerly glaciated areas demonstrate a continuous rise in RSL with a decreasing rate through time due to the collapse of the peripheral forebulge and the reduction in meltwater input during deglaciation. Late Holocene RSL change varies spatially from falling at 0.7 {\textpm} 0.8 mm a-1 in southern British Columbia to rising at 1.5 {\textpm} 0.3 mm a-1 in California. The different sea-level histories are an ongoing isostatic response to deglaciation of the Cordilleran and Laurentide Ice Sheets.}, keywords = {Cascadia subduction zone, Glacial isostatic adjustment, Holocene, Pacific North America, Sea-level database}, issn = {02773791}, doi = {10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.12.001}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.12.001}, author = {Engelhart, Simon E. and Vacchi, Matteo and Horton, Benjamin P. and Nelson, Alan R. and Kopp, Robert E.} }