Quaternary sea level highstands in the Algarve (South Portugal)

Abstract

Algarve is the Portuguese southernmost region in which we can distinguish three main domains in the coastal zone. In the west coast, abrupt cliffs are cutting mainly Paleozoic schists and graywackes, prevailing small enclosed beaches with the largest sandy beaches being developed adjacently to the river mouths. In the windward side (west) of the south coast, cliffs were formed essentially into the Mesozoic and Miocene limestones.