Geochronology and palaeoclimatic context of submerged siliciclastic beachrock formation in the western Mediterranean Sea

This article describes the geomorphological and petrological characteristics of 19 submerged beachrocks located on north Catalan coast (western Mediterranean Sea). Their length ranges between 8 1039 m, their width 1.5 86.5 m thickness 0.4 3.25 m. They are siliciclastic consisting well-rounded gravels with a very coarse sand matrix, they have low proportion bioclasts (<1%). Cementation occurred in swash zone adjacent foreshore due to precipitation high magnesium calcite. From absolute dates (14C optically stimulated luminescence) anthropic artifacts, three phases formation attributable Late Holocene were identified. Phase I corresponds warm humid Roman Period was recorded at level below -3.75 mean sea (MSL). II arid Medieval Climate Anomaly +0.25 -2.5 MSL. III Little Ice Age Industrial levels ranging from +0.5 -3.0 Good temporal correspondence chronology cementation and/or dry palaeoclimatic conditions can be established.