Geological antecedents of the Rias Baixas (Galicia, northwest Iberian Peninsula) G. Me ´ndez * , F. Vilas Grupo de Geologı ´a Marina, EX1, de la Universidad de Vigo, Spain Departamento de Geociencias Marinas y Ordenacio ´n del Territorio, Universidad de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Spain Received 19 March 2003; accepted 1 July 2004 Available online 7 October 2004 Abstract The present paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the geology of the Rias Baixas (Galicia, northwest Iberian Peninsula), focusing specifically on characterisation, geometry, and evolution of the sedimentary bodies; physical and geological description; drainage patterns; and advances in palaeoceanography and palaeoecology. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Rias; Galicia; Coast; Geology 1. Introduction The current state of knowledge regarding the geology of the Rias Baixas, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, is a consequence of an extensive and fruitful research process, with roots based on Von Richthofen’s proposal (1886) to use the term ria to designate a type of coastline characterised by the existence of a valley occupied by the sea, and taking as its prototype the Galician rias. Various authors later tried to explain their geological evolution and define the dominant processes in that evolution to date. However, the scientific discourse then began to question whether the Galician rias, given their variety of origins, should be truly considered rias at all. In recent years, research has generally focused on determining their Quaternary evolution, establishing links with global processes and characterising the local processes. Moreover, a major line of debate has centered on characterising the so-called Rias Coast, establishing a clear distinction between the geological processes described as typical of estuaries from those specifically pertaining to the rias. The present paper, besides reviewing the current state of this issue, presents an overall vision of the geology of the Rias Baixas. A variety of intensive human activities impact on the rias and their surroundings, including harbours, industrial complexes, buildings, agriculture and live- 0924-7963/$ - see front matter D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2004.07.012 * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: mendez@uvigo.es (G. Me ´ndez)8 fvilas@uvigo.es (F. Vilas). Journal of Marine Systems 54 (2005) 195 – 207 www.elsevier.com/locate/jmarsys