QUATERNARY SEDIMENTARY REGIME ON THE BERTHOIS SPUR (RAY OF BISCAY)

A study of cores from the Celtic Margin shows that high terrigenous ac cumulation rates occurred at the end of isotopic stage 3 and during is otopic stage 2. These high rates prevailed during rapid changes from r elatively warm conditions (Alesund interstadial) to maximum glacial co ndition. The input of terrigenous material may have culminated with th e blockage of the North Sea by an ice sheet and the diversion of NW Eu ropean flumes toward the Celtic Margin. The uppermost sediments are in a state of overconsolidation as the consequence of erosional processe s following the episod of high sediment supply.