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Discussion on Pleistocene calcified cyanobacterial mounds, Perachora peninsula, central Greece: a controversy of growth and historyGeological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 255, 2006, 53–69

^{1 1} University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK (e-mail: j.andrews@uea.ac.uk)
^{2 2} University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK (e-mail: j.andrews@uea.ac.uk)
^{3 3} University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK (e-mail: j.andrews@uea.ac.uk)
^{4 4} University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK (e-mail: j.andrews@uea.ac.uk)
^{5 5} University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK (e-mail: j.andrews@uea.ac.uk)
^{6 6} Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB3 8PH, UK (e-mail: stephen.kershaw@brunel.ac.uk)
^{7 7} CASP, Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge University, 181a Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0D, UK

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

	Introduction

 
J. E. Andrews, M. R. Leeder, C. Portman, P. J. Rowe & J. Smith write: we were very interested to read Kershaw & Guo's (2006) analysis of the conflicting views on the growth and history of Pleistocene cyanobacterial mounds (bioherms) from the Perachora peninsula in the eastern Gulf of Corinth rift, central Greece. A new field guide to this classic geological area and these spectacular exposures will soon be available (Leeder et al. 2007) and the issues we debate below have an important bearing on regional uplift rates, the role of faulting, and the environmental conditions required for cyanobacterial calcification. We welcome Kershaw & Guo's (2006) fair and balanced account of competing hypotheses for bioherm evolution, and particularly commend and accept their new interpretation of the cavity-dwelling, pendant coralline algae. However, we dispute the more fundamental basis of their interpretations and take this opportunity to discuss them further.

  In the vicinity of Cape Heraion (Perachora peninsula) uplifted Pleistocene shorelines of marine isotope stage (MIS) 5a/c, MIS 5e, MIS 7a/c and MIS 7e age have been mapped (Leeder et al. 2005), and where possible U/Th dated using coral aragonite (Vita-Finzi 1993; Dia et al. 1997; Leeder et al. 2005). The upper part of a prominent terrace, at c. +25 to +30 m above modern sea level, is composed of marine bioclastic marls and carbonates of proven MIS 5e age (Vita-Finzi 1993; Leeder et al. 2005). However, directly below these sediments is a horizon of spectacular bioherms, up to 10 m high (Fig. 1) constructed by calcified cyanobacteria (Rivularia haematites) and coralline algae (Lithophyllum pustulatum). There is controversy regarding the age, stratigraphic relations and environment of formation of these . . . [Full Text of this Article]