Fig. 5: The PSA patterns, mean sortable size SS and sea level fluctuations since 35,000 BP.

(Top) The PSA patterns of the depositional periods P1, P3 and P4. Each pattern shows different sedimentary facies. (middle) The sortable silt mean size \((\overline{{SS}})\) of MD18-3545, which responds to the bottom current intensity during sedimentation. (bottom) The global sea level change in the past 35,000 yr5. Generally, a bottom current intensity is positively correlated to the gradient of the sea level change. The strong erosion in Period 2 occurred at a lowstand of the sea level or at water depths lower than about −60 m. The depositional Periods 3 and 4 occurred when the sea level is higher than −60 m. B/A Bølling–Allerød, YD Younger Dryas.