Geomorphic evidences of Pleistocene higher sea levels near Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

A large-scale field mapping at Rushikonda along Visakhapatnam coast, has re vealed several low-relief relict geomorphic features such as river terraces , marine (wave-cut) terraces, sandy beach ridges and red sand mounds. Furth er, trenching in the upper river terrace has brought to light several sedim entary horizons including a prominent boulder-pebble layer which contains i n situ pebble tools of Lower Palaeolithic age. Based on the relative horizo ntal as well as vertical positions of the landforms, besides archaeological evidences and keeping in view of the wide-spread distribution of the dated Pleistocene terraces in different parts of the world, the marine terraces along Visakhapatnam coast are inferred to represent a + 7 m sea level durin g the Last Interglacial.