PLEISTOCENE PROGRADATIONAL GROWTH-PATTERN OF THE NORTHERN CATALONIA CONTINENTAL-SHELF (NORTHWESTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

The Pleistocene sedimentary growth pattern of the northern Catalonia c ontinental shelf is characterized by the vertical stacking of seaward downlapping regressive deposits. These deposits are characterized by a progradational development, with oblique clinoforms of low angle in t he middle continental shelf, that become more inclined seaward in the outer continental shelf and shelfbreak. Eustatic sea level fluctuation s controlled the development of this sedimentary pattern, whereas sedi ment supply conditioned the nonuniform progradation along the continen tal shelf and subsidence due to both sediment loading and tectonics co ntrolled its preservation through and along the continental shelf.