Reply to comment by Gavin M. Elliott on “Basement-controlled multiple slope collapses, Rockall Bank Slide Complex, NE Atlantic” by A. Georgiopoulou, P.M. Shannon, F. Sacchetti, PDW Haughton, S. Benetti [Marine Geology 336 (2013) 198–214]

We appreciate the interest and comments by Elliott regarding our paper on the Rockall Bank Slide Complex (Georgiopoulou et al., 2013). The multiple failure history of the slide complex is intriguing and the complex itself is regionally significant in terms of its size and its impact on the regional architecture of the western margin of the Rockall Trough. However, we dispute Elliottʹs assertion that we have not taken into account existing knowledge from the region and believe that we have carefully and adequately documented relevant data and models and have stated clearly where our interpretations are more speculative. The Rockall Trough is, after all, a very large frontier area with limited data availability. Indeed we specifically mentioned some of the uncertainties and alternative interpretations which he suggests himself in his comments. In our reply we address each of the main issues in the order in which they were raised: 1. Direct linkage between seafloor scarps and basement faults, 2. Evidence (or lack of) for fluid flow, and 3. Origin of the seabed mounds. In addition, we provide further illustrations from our original dataset and an additional one from the Irish National Seabed Survey in support of the original paper.