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U-series dating of constructional cold-water corals is a powerful tool to reconstruct the evolution of corals on carbonate mounds. Here we have investigated the time framework of corals such as Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata on five different mound settings of the eastern North Atlantic (on Rockall Bank and in Porcupine Seabight), sampled at variable depth and location (610-880 m water depth). We have found that the past 11 ka reflect a period generally favourable for coral development. We further determined local mound growth rates and identified mound surface erosion (framework collapse) during times of active coral framework construction. "Local" vertical mound growth rates vary between less than 5 cm ka − 1 and up to 220 cm ka − 1 . We interpret rates exceeding 15 cm ka − 1 as representative of densely populated coral reefs. During times of reduced or absent coral development, mound evolution rates are by far smaller (0 to < 5 cm ka − 1 ). The time resolution achieved here furthermore provides first evidence for reduced coral (ecosystem) activity at 1.8-2.0 ka, 4.2-4.8 ka and between 6 and 8.2 ka within the Holocene that may be related to climate driven changes of the coral growth environments. During Glacial periods coral growth in those areas seems apparently extremely reduced or is even absent on mounds.

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Cold-water coral mounds on both margins of the Rockall Trough (NE Atlantic Ocean) have a strongly diVerent morphology. Single, isolated mounds occur on the SE margin and are mainly found on the upper slope between 900 and 650 m water depth, while large mound clusters are found on the SW margin in water depths between 600 and 1,000 m, in a narrow zone almost parallel to the slope. Sedimentation rates on the mounds are higher than on the surrounding seabed as a result of baZing of biogenic carbonate debris and siliciclastic particles by the coral framework covering the mounds. This is conWrmed by 210 Pb measurements. The individual coral growth rate can be three times higher then the vertical growth rate of the coral cover ( §10 mm year ¡1 ) which in turn is more than an order of magnitude higher then the present-day overall mound growth rate ( §0.25 mm year ¡1 ). The presence of extensive hardgrounds and Wrmgrounds and the three-dimensional coral framework are considered to be responsible for the stability of the relatively steep slopes of the mounds. High current velocities in the intramound areas result in local non-sedimentation and erosion, as is shown by the presence of IRD (ice-rafted debris) lag deposits on the seabed and moats around some of the mounds. The morphology and sedimentology of cold-water coral-covered (mainly Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) mounds on the southern Rockall Trough margins (NE Atlantic Ocean) is discussed and a model describing the development of these mounds is presented.

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