During which climatic periods would sea levels be lowest?

Study for the Introduction to Physical Geology Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare for your geology exam now!

Multiple Choice

During which climatic periods would sea levels be lowest?

Explanation:
Sea level changes with how much water is stored on land as ice versus in the oceans. During cold glacial periods, large ice sheets advance and lock a lot of water on land, pulling it out of the oceans and lowering global sea level. In warm interglacial periods, melting ice returns water to the oceans, raising sea level. So the lowest sea levels occur during cold glacial periods.

Sea level changes with how much water is stored on land as ice versus in the oceans. During cold glacial periods, large ice sheets advance and lock a lot of water on land, pulling it out of the oceans and lowering global sea level. In warm interglacial periods, melting ice returns water to the oceans, raising sea level. So the lowest sea levels occur during cold glacial periods.

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