Occurrence of submerged Pleistocene stony corals and marine molluscs at Vazhakala near Cochin and their significance on sea level changes

A well preserved, submerged assemblage of Scleractinian corals and marine m olluscs was observed from a well cutting at a depth of 8 m from the present MSL and about 8 ion inland, at Vazhakala near Cochin (Kerala). Based on th e determination of age oft a sample of Goniastrea retiformis-a reef coral, it is suggested that the deposit is of Pleistocene Era The sea level circa 40000 y B.P. at this legion was about 7-8 m than the present and the coastl ine extended up to 8 ion eastward than the current. The Pleistocene coral a nd molluscan fauna reported herein do not display much variation from the p resent faunal elements known from the seas around India It is suggested tha t a regression of sea during the Late Pleistocene resulted in the emergence of Cochin and suburbs and the physiography was subsequently modified by al luvial deposits from the rivers.