Postglacial Flooding of the Bering Land Bridge: A Geospatial Animation
For more information and to view the animation, see:
http://instaar.Colorado.EDU/QGISL/bering_land_bridge
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to create movies showing
how the Bering Land Bridge evolved after the Last Glacial Maximum, about
21,000 years ago. Global sea level at that time was approximately 120 m
(400 ft) lower than today. The Land Bridge existed as a vast tundra
plain connecting Asia and North America. As the world's glaciers and
ice sheets melted over the following thousands of years, rising sea
level flooded the Land Bridge - blocking migration routes for animals
and humans.
The geospatial visualization was created to assist with scientific
research, education, and outreach. It is based on the best available
digital information, and reveals large-scale patterns of shifting
coastlines and environments as the land bridge evolved.
See:
http://instaar.Colorado.EDU/QGISL/bering_land_bridge/
William Manley
INSTAAR, University of Colorado
William.Manley [at] colorado.edu