HOLOCENE SEQUENCE OF SEA-LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS IN RELATION TO CLIMATIC TRENDS IN THE ATLANTIC-MEDITERRANEAN LINKAGE COAST

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 maxim um of the Present Interglacial. From the morpho-sedimentological study of these spit bar systems, the study of littoral dynamics (particular ly the littoral drift and interchange of ''superficial Atlantic water' ' (SAW) and Mediterranean water), and the results of C-14 measurements , we have deduced that (a) the maximum of the Present Interglacial too k place ca. 6.500 yr BP, (b) the progradation of spit bar systems rela tes to climate; anticyclonic conditions increase the entrance of ''sup erficial Atlantic Water'' into the Mediterranean, and enhance littoral drift favouring progradation. In contrast, the entrance of SAW decrea ses under low-pressure conditions causing reduced littoral drift, no p rogradation and, as a consequence, generation of the very large swales or erosional surfaces separating successive spits. (c) In the most co mplete case, four large prograding bodies called H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4 , can be distinguished, but more C-14 measurements are required to ded uce more precise periodicities.