Figure 4. Ultimately, the release of the weight of the ice allowed rebound of the land (isostatic rebound) to outpace the rate of global sea-level rise. Thus, local relative sea level fell, at rates up to 43 mm/yr (1.7 in/yr), until it reached a local lowstand 55 m (180 ft) below present sea level. This caused the coastline to move well offshore of the present coast, as recorded by terraces, lowstand deltas, and patterns of erosion and deposition on the Maine inner continental shelf.

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Last updated on October 6, 2005

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