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

Georgiopoulou et al. present a reassessment of the Rockall Bank Slide Complex (RBSC) NE Atlantic using reprocessed bathymetry data combined with seismic reflection data to propose a deeper linkage between underlying Mesozoic faults and the location of the headwall scarps of the slide complex. Although the faults have a key role to play in defining the shape of the slope I am unclear as to how these two seemingly independent phenomena are linked as cited in the paper. Fluid flow is also explored by the authors as a mechanism for making the slope prone to failure; however there is not enough evidence to suggest that this is the case as direct evidence of such flow is not present on this margin. An indirect dating method using an average growth rate model to estimate the age of a seabed mound which is assumed to be a carbonate mound is used; however the likelihood of the mound being a volcanic mound is not fully explored nor discounted. Whilst any study of the RBSC is to be welcomed I am not convinced about the evidence used to support the conclusions and feel that the findings should take into account existing knowledge from the region.