Hydrodynamic variations and correlations with Quaternary sea-level change on a rocky coast in Corsica, Western Mediterranean

The stratigraphy of Quaternary marine sediments in Corsica is summarised: Holocene (Versilian) deposits occur at 2–5m and last interglacial sediments (Tyrrhenian Stage) from 2 to 10–15m altitude. Locally, two older deposits, up to 30–40m above present sea-level, indicate the first transgressive phase of the last interglacial stage, and the penultimate interglacial stage.Sections are described where Quaternary hydrodynamic conditions were different from present ones in the same locality. At some sites which are high energy at present, sand deposits and sandstones provide evidence of low or medium energy conditions during the last interglacial and the penultimate interglacial stages. These variations correlate with sea-level changes, particularly at Cala d'Ancone, where sedimentation occurred during the transgressive phase of the interglacial stage, and where cementation terminated during the subsequent regressive phase.The occurrence of pebbles in localities where low energy conditions prevail at present, probably represent fluvial material reworked by wave action, during the last as well as the penultimate interglacial stages.Local variations in hydrodynamic intensity correlate with sea-level changes along the western Corsican shore, although general energy conditions remained constant throughout the interglacial stages.