Reply to the comments by Mauz, B. and Antonioli, F. on “Sea Level and Climate Changes during OIS 5e in the Western Mediterranean”

Abstract

We really appreciate the comments by Mauz and Antonioli on our paper (Bardaji et al., 2009geomorphologic maps are often lacking in studies related to the reconstruction of past sea level changes. In most cases these maps would be the only way of reconstructing past sea level oscillations (see for example, ), but here we respond to the erroneous statements made in their critical reading of our work. We agree with the authors' historic review of the problems raised when effects of tectonics and sea level oscillations are observed in the record of relative sea-level changes in Western Mediterranean. We should not forget that the Mediterranean itself constitutes a collision plate boundary, with few stable areas within it. Therefore, the study of the Last Interglacial shorelines cannot be simply analysed according to altitude, as they say. What we do not share with Mauz and Antonioli is that “the only solution to this seemed to be determining the age of a coastal deposit using radiometric, dosimetric and chemical dating techniques”. It is obvious that we need a chronological approach to be as accurate as possible. First of all, however, an exhaustive field analysis is needed, and this is overlooked by Mauz and Antonioli at least in the Spanish Mediterranean sector. To begin with, field analysis would yield a deeper wider geological knowledge, not only of the precise sections but also on a regional scope. Second, a geomorphologic understanding of the selected sections is necessary. Geomorphology is the best tool that enables us to understand how many different sea level highstands or intervals we are dealing with in terms of their relation to former and younger sea level indicators (i.e. 3D stratigraphic architecture). Sampling for dating purposes can only be done when the sedimentary sequence is clear, and after detailed geomorphologic mapping. Unfortunately, Radtke and Schellmann, 2004