Accumulation of late Pleistocene and Holocene biogenic sands and gravels on the continental shelf between northern Scotland and western France

Abstract The paper reviews 51 radiocarbon ages for calcareous biogenic material from the top few centimetres of sands and gravels on the continental shelf between northern Scotland and western France. The majority of the ages fall within the past 5000 years, while sea level was almost at its present height. Some dates represent the first half of the Holocene and others date back to the late Pleistocene. They show that these sands and gravels have a high preservation potential under present conditions, despite the evidence of bioerosion, disturbance by storm waves and transport of material by currents. The surface samples are well mixed and are classified as present day deposits. Underlying sediments young-upwards where deposition is permitted but are condensed where thickening is virtually disallowed.