10.1016/0967-0653(95)94270-z

Abstract

The systems of spit bars that crop out in the area of linkage Atlantic-Mediterranean began to accumulate around 6,900 yr BP during the maximum of the Present Interglacial. From the morpho-sedimentological study of these spit bar systems, the study of littoral dynamics (particularly the littoral drift and interchange of "superficial Atlantic water" (SAW) and Mediterranean water), and the results of 14 C measurements, we have deduced that (a) the maximum of the Present Interglacial took place ca. 6.500 yr BP, (b) the progradation of spit bar systems relates to climate; anticyclonic conditions increase the entrance of "superficial Atlantic Water" into the Mediterranean, and enhance littoral drift favouring progradation. In contrast, the entrance of SAW decreases under low-pressure conditions causing reduced littoral drift, no progradation and, as a consequence, generation of the very large swales or erosional surfaces separating successive spits. (c) In the most complete case, four large prograding bodies called H 1, H 2 , H 3 and H 4 , can be distinguished, but more 14 C measurements are required to deduce more precise periodicities