Search

[EN] The UTM-CSIC Data Centre is responsible for managing the data acquired during oceanographic cruises on board the research vessels of CSIC (RV Sarmiento de Gamboa, RV García del Cid) and RV Hespérides

[EN] During research cruises on oceanographic vessels, a large amount of data of different types are acquired, covering all study areas and characterizing and providing information on the sea surface, the water column, the seabed and the sub-seabed. These data are very valuable not only as a source of oceanographic research but also because it is difficult and expensive to acquire them in the complex marine environment. It is therefore essential to make this information accessible and reusable. […], [ES] Durante las campañas de investigación en buques oceanográficos se adquieren una gran cantidad de datos de diferente naturaleza, que cubren todos los ámbitos de estudio y que caracterizan y nos dan información tanto de la superficie del mar como de la columna de agua, del fondo y del subfondo marino. Estos datos son muy valiosos, no sólo porque son la fuente de las investigaciones oceanográficas, sino por la dificultad y el elevado coste de adquisición debido a la complejidad que representa trabajar en el medio marino. La accesibilidad de esta información y estos datos es por tanto fundamental y de ahí la importancia de que sean accesibles y reutilizables. […], [CAT] Durant les campanyes d’investigació en vaixells oceanogràfics s’adquireixen una gran quantitat de dades de diferent naturalesa, que cobreixen tots els àmbits d’estudi i que caracteritzen i ens donen informació tant de la superfície del mar com de la columna d’aigua, i del fons i subfons marí. Aquestes dades són molt valuoses, no només perquè són la font de les investigacions oceanogràfiques, sinó per la dificultat i l’elevat cost d’adquisició a causa de la complexitat que representa treballar en el medi marí. L’accessibilitat d’aquesta informació i aquestes dades és per tant fonamental i d’aquí la importància que siguin accessibles i reutilitzables. […]

Eurofleets+ adopted a Data Policy making EF+ cruise data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). Data management (DM) is integrated and deployed in synergy with SeaDataNet, a European network of NODCs. The DM strategy is to ensure metadata and data of TA (Transnational Access) cruises to become available for dissemination and inclusion in major European and global marine data exchange systems. To achieve this, research teams are required to formulate their cruise DM plans, and use components designed for deploying the EF+ DM strategy: 1) equip RVs with a shipboard system (EARS) to gather and transfer metadata and data as acquired during cruises, both by automatic systems and manual entries; 2) assign DM experts (NODCs) to assist principal investigators and vessel operators, before, during, and after the TA cruises; 3) validate and archive all gathered metadata and data at NODCs for long term stewardship, and wider distribution, using SeaDataNet for exchange and publishing at several European and international portals. A central distinction is made between ‘en-route’ data acquired by fixed sensors, and ‘manual’ data from human operations, which requires post-processing, e.g. analysing samples. EARS will gather ‘en-route data’ for regular transfer and publishing at EF+ EVIOR portal in a dynamic vessel tracking interface, using SWE techniques

El IIP se creó el 3 de octubre de 1951 con su sede central en Barcelona, inicialmente en la Universitat de Barcelona y desde el 1963 en la Barceloneta, y con laboratorios a Castelló y Blanes, a los que después se añadieron Vigo y Cádiz. En el año 1979 el IIP se separó en 4 centros: el mismo IIP en Barcelona (que en 1987 cambió de nombre a Instituto de Ciencias el Mar y que mantuvo el laboratorio de Blanes), el Instituto de Investigaciones Mariñas de Vigo, el Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal de Castelló y el Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias Marinas en Cádiz. Posteriormente, del laboratorio de Blanes surgió el Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes y del mismo Instituto de Ciencias de Mar surgió la Unidad de Tecnología Marina -- Programa preliminar: 11:00 - Bienvenida - Josep Lluís Pelegrí. Retrospectiva histórica del IIP - Angel Guerra 11:30 - Mesas redondas: Pasado, presente y futuro de... … las pesquerías y recursos marinos. Enrique MacPherson (CEAB), Jaume Pérez (IATS), Francisco Prat (ICMAN), Francisco Saborido (IIM) … la obtención y uso de datos. Javier Prades (UTM), Susana Diez (UTM), Ariadna Sitjà (IATS), Jordi Salat (ICM). … la cultura oceánica y la sociedad. Luisa Martínez (CSIC Galicia), Pepe Pintado (IIM), Ignacio Moreno (ICMAN), Josep Maria Gili (ICM) 13:00 - Pica pica 13:30 - Concierto de L'Ultim Indi, [CAT] L'IIP es va crear el 3 d'octubre de 1951 amb la seva seu central a Barcelona, inicialment a la Universitat de Barcelona i des del 1963 a la Barceloneta, i amb laboratoris a Castelló i Blanes, als que després es van afegir Vigo i Cadis. L'any 1979 l'IIP es va separar en 4 centres: el mateix IIP a Barcelona (que el 1987 va canviar de nom a Institut de Ciències el Mar i que va mantenir el laboratori de Blanes), el Instituto de Investigaciones Mariñas de Vigo, l'Institut d'Acuicultura Torre de la Sal de Castelló i el Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias Marinas a Cadis. Posteriorment, del laboratori de Blanes va sorgir el Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes i del mateix Institut de Ciències del Mar en va sorgir la Unitat de Tecnologia Marina

Marie Tharp (1920-2006) was a pioneer of modern oceanography. She was an American geologist and oceanographic cartographer who, together with his husband Bruce Heezen, generated the first bathymetric map of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Tharp's work revealed the detailed topography and geological landscape of the seafloor. Her work revealed the presence of a continuous rift valley along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis, causing a paradigm in earth sciences that led to the acceptance of plate tectonics and continental drift theories. Piecing maps together in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Marie and his partner Bruce Heezen discovered the 75.000 km underwater ridge bounding around the globe. By this finding, they laid the conclusion from geophysical data that the seafloor spreads from mid-ocean ridges and that continents are in motion with respect to one another¿a revolutionary geological theory at that time. Many years later, satellite images demonstrate that Tharp¿s maps were accurate. In this contribution, we focus on detailed bathymetric maps collected from year 1992 to today, which include bathymetric maps from diverse parts of the world. For instance, we will show a) Back-arc basins (i.e. the Bransfield Basin, Antarctica; and the North Fiji Basin, SW Pacific); b) Mid-ocean ridges and fracture zones (i.e. the MAR at the South of Azores, the MAR at the Oceanographer-Hayes, and the St. Paul Fracture Zone at the Equator), and c) Active tectonic structures from the Gulf of Cadiz and Alboran Sea, located at the Africa-Eurasia plate boundary (Gibraltar Arc). Regarding this last area, we will characterize the seafloor expression of the fault systems, as well as the subsurface structure of the faults in the Gulf of Cadiz and Alboran Sea. This zone is characterized by a moderate seismicity, mainly reverse and strike-slip focal mechanisms; although large historical (AD1755, AD1829) and instrumental earthquakes or large/great magnitude also occurred, such as the earthquakes of 1969

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres and often form the tectonic boundaries between plates that are associated with prominent topographic features. In these active areas, well-defined faults produce large earthquakes, and thus imply a high seismic hazard. These paradigms are called into question in the Alboran Sea, which hosts an allegedly complex diffuse boundary between the Eurasia and Nubia plates, and we discovered one of the few examples worldwide of the initial stages of these key tectonic structures. On the 25th January 2016, a magnitude Mw6.4 submarine earthquake struck the north of the Moroccan coast, the largest event ever recorded in the Alboran Sea. The quake was preceded by an earthquake of magnitude Mw5.1 and was followed by numerous aftershocks whose locations mainly migrated to the south. The mainshock nucleated at a releasing bend of the poorly known Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS). According to slip inversion and aftershock distribution, we assume a rupture length of 18 km. Here we combine newly acquired multi-scale bathymetric and marine seismic reflection data with a resolution comparable to the studies on land, together with seismological data of the 2016 Mw 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco – the largest event recorded in the area – to unveil the 3D geometry of the AIFS. We found that, despite its subdued relief, the AIFS is a crustal-scale boundary. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterize their fault segments and demonstrate that the AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the Mw 6.4 earthquake and previous events of 1994 and 2004 supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments, which eventually might generate a greater rupture (up to Mw 7.6), increasing the potential hazard of the structure. The AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary system in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean)

A multi-scale dataset consisting of multi-beam echo-sounder, 2D multi-channel seismic and sidescan sonar (TOBI) data allows us to identify a large variety of morphologies originating from sedimentary and tectonic processes along the São Vicente Canyon (SVC), which is the largest submarine canyon developed in the external part of the Gulf of Cadiz. The SVC is located in one of the most seismogenic areas of Western Europe. The convergence between the Eurasian and African plates has controlled the formation and evolution of the canyon. The SVC is tectonically controlled by three main thrust faults: the Marquês de Pombal Fault, the São Vicente Fault and the Horseshoe Fault. No major rivers feed sediment to the canyon head, but the main sediment source is related to the dismantling of canyon flanks and the MOW (Mediterranean Overflow Water). This current contributes sediments by two different processes: a) conturites deposition at the head and flanks of the SVC that periodically fail into the canyon; and b) the coarser-grained and denser sediment of the MOW might be trapped at the head of the canyon and could develops into hyperpycnal flows. The SVC is characterized by retrogressive erosion being submarine landslide deposits and scars the main seafloor morphologies. The tectonic and stratigraphic interpretation of seismic profiles indicate that the SVC is a clear example of a diachronous and segmented canyon developed since the Late Miocene in an area of present-day active plate tectonics. This study investigates the interaction between active tectonics, the dynamics of submarine canyons and the resulting geomorphologies

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form boundaries between rigid tectonic blocks. These faults are often associated with prominent topographic features and they can produce large earthquakes. Here we present the first evidence of a major tectonic structure in its initial-stage, the Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS), in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean). Until now, this fault system has always been described as a complex diffuse boundary between the Eurasia and Nubia plates. However, combining newly acquired high-resolution bathymetric and seismic reflection data, together with seismological analyses of the 25th January 2016 Mw 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco ¿ the largest event ever recorded in the area ¿ we unveil a 3D geometry for the AIFS, which definitively corresponds to a crustal-scale boundary. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterize the fault segmentation and demonstrate that the AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the Mw 6.4 earthquake together with historical and instrumental events supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. Thus, the AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary fault system.

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form boundaries between rigid tectonic blocks. These faults are associated with prominent topographic features and can produce large earthquakes. Here we show the first evidence of a major tectonic structure in its initial-stage, the Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS), in the Alboran Sea. Combining bathymetric and seismic reflection data, together with seismological analyses of the 2016 M-w 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco - the largest event ever recorded in the area - we unveil a 3D geometry for the AIFS. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterise the fault segmentation and demonstrate that AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the M-w 6.4 earthquake together with historical and instrumental events supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. Thus, the AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary fault system.

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form tectonic boundaries between plates, often associated with prominent topographic features. In these active areas, well-defined faults produce large earthquakes, and thus imply a high seismic hazard. These paradigms are called into question in the Alboran Sea, which hosts an allegedly complex diffuse boundary between the Eurasia and Nubia plates, and we discovered one of the few examples worldwide of the initial stages of these key tectonic structures. On the 25th January 2016, a magnitude Mw 6.4 submarine earthquake struck the north of the Moroccan coast, the largest event ever recorded in the Alboran Sea. The quake was preceded by an earthquake of magnitude Mw 5.1 and was followed by numerous aftershocks whose locations mainly migrated to the south. The mainshock nucleated at a releasing bend of the poorly known Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS). Here we combine newly acquired multi-scale bathymetric and seismic reflection data with a resolution, together with seismological data of the 2016 Mw 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco –the largest event recorded in the area –to unveil the 3D geometry of the AIFS. We found that the AIFS is a crustal-scale boundary. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterize their fault segments and demonstrate that the AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the Mw 6.4 earthquake and previous events of 1994 and 2004 supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. The AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary. (Waiting for acceptance in NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 2019)

[EN] The Marine Technology Unit of the Spanish Research Council (UTM-CSIC) is responsible for the management of oceanographic research vessels. During the oceanographic cruises, a large amount of spatial data is acquired and managed by the UTM Data Service, from data that is automatically and continuously acquired in a trajectory, such as the temperature and salinity of the sea, to data that they are acquired in specific points or areas of study, such as a sound velocity profile in the water column or a bathymetry to map the seabed. The purpose of the UTM Data Service is to disclose what data exists and where, how and when it has been acquired and, in addition, to provide access to that data. For this, a national SDI is available, consisting of a Catalogue of Oceanographic Cruises carried out on ships that it has managed since 1991, with more than 500 cruises, and a Geoportal that allows the creation of maps combining layers. The UTM is a National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) of the Distributed European Sea Data Infrastructure SeaDataNet, to which it provides metadata (Cruise Summary Report -CSR- and Common Data Index -CDI-, ISO19139) and public data to be shared, [ES] La Unidad de Tecnología Marina del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UTM-CSIC) se encarga de la gestión de buques oceanográficos de investigación. Durante las campañas oceanográficas se adquieren una gran cantidad de datos espaciales que son gestionados por el Servicio de Datos de la UTM, desde datos que se adquieren de forma automática y continua en una trayectoria, como la temperatura y salinidad superficial del mar, a datos que se adquieren en puntos o áreas concretas de estudio, como sería un perfil de velocidad del sonido en la columna de agua o una batimetría para cartografiar el fondo marino. El propósito del Servicio de Datos de la UTM es dar a conocer qué datos existen y dónde, cómo y cuándo han sido adquiridos y además, dar accesibilidad a esos datos. Para ello, se dispone de una IDE nacional que consta de un Catálogo de Campañas Oceanográficas llevadas a cabo en los buques que gestiona desde 1991, con más de 500 campañas, y de un Geoportal que permite crear mapas combinando capas. La UTM es un Nacional Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) de la Infraestructura Distribuida Europea de Datos Marinos SeaDataNet, a la que aporta metadatos (Cruise Summary Report -CSR- y Common Data Index -CDI-, ISO19139) y datos públicos para ser compartidos

Data files and modelling results of regional centroid moment tensors obtained for earthquakes in the 2016 South Alboran seismic crisis, and presented in the article "Earthquake crisis unveils the growth of an incipient continental fault system", by Eulàlia Gràcia et al. Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form boundaries between rigid tectonic blocks. These faults are often associated with prominent topographic features, and they can produce large earthquakes. Here we present first evidence of such a major tectonic structure in its initial growing stage, the Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS), in the Alboran Sea. Until now, this fault system had always been described as a complex diffuse boundary between Eurasia and Nubia plates. However, combining newly acquired high-resolution bathymetric and seismic reflection data, together with seismological analyses of the 2016 Mw 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco – the largest event ever recorded in the area – we unveil a 3D geometry for the AIFS, which definitively correspond to a crustal-scale boundary. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterize fault segmentation and demonstrate that the AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the Mw 6.4 earthquake together with historical and instrumental events supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. Thus, the AIFS provides a unique model for inception and growth of a young continental fault system.

La Unidad de Tecnología Marina del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UTM-CSIC) se encarga de la gestión de buques oceanográficos de investigación. Durante las campañas oceanográficas se adquieren una gran cantidad de Datos Espaciales que son gestionados por el Servicio de Datos de la UTM, desde datos que se adquieren de forma automática y contínua en una trayectoria, como la temperatura y salinidad superficial del mar, a datos que se adquieren en puntos o áreas concretas de estudio, como sería un perfil de velocidad del sonido en la columna de agua o una batimetría para cartografiar el fondo marino. El propósito del Servicio de Datos de la UTM es, por un parte, dar a conocer qué datos existen y dónde, cómo y cuándo han sido adquiridos y por otra parte dar accesibilidad a la mayor parte posible de estos datos, que han sido adquiridos con fondos públicos, con el fin de que puedan ser reutilizados. [...]

El Servei de Dades de la UTM s’encarrega de gestionar les dades espacials adquirides durant les campanyes en vaixells oceanogràfics. No només les emmagatzemem, sinó que gràcies a la generació de metadades, és possible conèixer quines dades s’han adquirit, on, quan, com i donar accés a les dades que siguin de caràcter públic. En aquesta xerrada us explicarem com podeu consultar tota la informació de les campanyes, tant a nivell nacional en el nostre Catàleg de Campanyes (amb documentació associada, mapes de navegació i dades), com a nivell internacional en la Infraestructura SeaDataNet de la que la UTM en forma part. També veureu com podeu accedir a les dades públiques i generar mapes mitjançant el Geoportal UTM i també com podem assignar Digital Object Identifier (DOI) al dataset complet de la campanya o a unes dades en concret si us interessa, per tal de que puguin cer citades a les publicacions

Complex multifault earthquake ruptures involving secondary faults emphasize the necessity to characterize their seismogenic potential better and study their relationship with major faults to improve the seismic hazard assessment of a region. High-resolution geophysical data were interpreted to make a detailed characterization of the Averroes Fault and the North Averroes Faults, which are poorly known secondary right-lateral strike-slip faults located in the central part of the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean). These faults appear to have evolved since the Pliocene as part of a distributed dextral strike-slip shear zone in response to local strain engendered by the diverging movement of the Carboneras Fault to the north, and the Yusuf and Alboran Ridge faults to the south. In addition, the architecture of these faults suggests that the Averroes Fault may eventually link with the Yusuf fault, thus leading to a higher seismogenic potential. Therefore, these secondary faults represent a hitherto unrecognized seismogenic hazard since they could produce earthquakes up to moment magnitude (M) 7.6. Our results highlight the importance of the role played by secondary faults in a specific kinematic framework. Their reciprocal linkage and their mechanical relationship with the main faults could lead to future complex fault ruptures. This information could improve fault source and earthquake models used in seismic and tsunami hazard assessment in this and similar regions

Una visió general del recorregut de les dades oceanogràfiques (dades en general però centrant-nos en el cas particular de dades batimètriques), des de la seva adquisició i generació de metadades, Control de qualitat i processat fins arribar a tenir unes dades públiques i compartides en diferents portals

On the 25th January 2016 a magnitude Mw 6.3 earthquake struck 45 km offshore north Morocco, the largest recorded event in the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean). It was preceded on 21 January by an earthquake of magnitude 5.1 in the same epicentral area, and was followed by numerous aftershocks whose locations mainly migrated south and northeast from the mainshock. The mainshock nucleated at a releasing bend of the poorly known Al-Idrissi Fault. According to slip inversion we assume a 20 to maximum 30 km long rupture zone. We use swath-bathymetry, seismic reflection profiles and seismological data to characterize and document Quaternary activity on the 100 km long Al-Idrissi Fault. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterize their fault segments and demonstrate that Al-Idrissi is the fault source of the 2016 earthquake events. Located along a crustal boundary that separates the West and East Alboran Sea, the Al-Idrissi Fault is a young structure. Its central segment, mainly transpressive, was developed during the Early Pliocene while the north and south segments are transtensional and of Quaternary age. All these observations together suggest that the Mw 6.4 earthquake broke across the southern and central segment boundary. Therefore, the complete rupture of the Al-Idrissi Fault should be considered and might generate a greater rupture (Mw 7.2), significantly increasing the potential hazard of the structure

Dimarts pujarem al "García del Cid", un vaixell oceanogràfic que fa expedicions científiques. Allà, Rafel Bagot veurà com és la vida a bord i com s'estudia el fons marí, de la mà dels tècnics de la unitat tecnològica del Centre Superior d'Investigacions Científiques

Recently acquired swath-bathymetry data and high-resolution seismic reflection profiles offshore Adra (Almería, Spain) reveal the surficial expression of a NW–SE trending 20 km-long fault, which we termed the Adra Fault. Seismic imaging across the structure depicts a sub-vertical fault reaching the seafloor surface and slightly dipping to the NE showing an along-axis structural variability. Our new data suggest normal displacement of the uppermost units with probably a lateral component. Radiocarbon dating of a gravity core located in the area indicates that seafloor sediments are of Holocene age, suggesting present-day tectonic activity. The NE Alboran Sea area is characterized by significant low-magnitude earthquakes and by historical records of moderate magnitude, such as the Mw = 6.1 1910 Adra Earthquake. The location, dimension and kinematics of the Adra Fault agree with the fault solution and magnitude of the 1910 Adra Earthquake, whose moment tensor analysis indicates normal-dextral motion. The fault seismic parameters indicate that the Adra Fault is a potential source of large magnitude (Mw ≤ 6.5) earthquakes, which represents an unreported seismic hazard for the neighbouring coastal areas

During the last years we have carried out successive high-resolution marine geological and geophysical surveys to investigate the seismic potential of the slow-moving seismogenic faults from the South Iberian Margin. Based on multiscale acoustic mapping, sub-seafloor seismic imaging and dating methods we have characterized submarine fault systems with unprecedented resolution. We present primary paleoseismic evidence obtained by direct investigations of selected faults from the Mediterranean Sea (i.e. Carboneras Fault, Bajo Segura Fault, Adra Fault) and the external part of the Gulf of Cadiz (i.e. Marques de Pombal Fault, Horseshoe Fault, Coral Patch Ridge Fault and SWIM lineaments). The obtained fault seismic parameters suggest that these faults are active and capable of generating large magnitude (Mw > 6) seismic events, representing an earthquake and tsunami hazard for the surrounding coastal areas. Secondary paleoseismic evidence in the SW Iberian Margin (based on landslides and turbidite deposits) yields a regional recurrence rate of large magnitude earthquakes of 1800 – 2000 years

The Gulf of Cadiz, off SW Iberia and the NW Moroccan margin, straddles the cryptic plate boundary between Africa and Eurasia, a region where the orogenic Alpine compressive deformation in the continental collision zone passes laterally to the west to strike-slip deformation. A set of new multibeam bathymetry, multi-channel and single channel seismic data presented here image the main morphological features of tectonic origin of a significant part of the Gulf of Cadiz from the continental shelf to the abyssal plain. These morphotectonic features are shown to result from the reactivation of deeply rooted faults that changed their kinematics from the early Mesozoic rifting, through the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene collision, to Pliocene-Quaternary thrusting and wrenching. The old faults control deep incised, more than 100 km long canyons and valleys. Several effects of neotectonics on deep water seabed are shown. These include: i) the complex morphology caused by wrenching on the 230 km long WNW-ESE faults that produced en echelon folds on the sediments; ii) the formation of up to 5 km wide crescent shaped scours at roughly 4 km water depth by reactivation of thrusts; iii) 10 km long creep folds on the continental slope; and iv) the formation of landslides on active fault escarpments. The present day deformation is partitioned on NE-SW thrusts and WNW-ESE to W-E strike-slip faults and is propagating northwards on N-S trending thrusts along the West Iberia Margin from 35.5°N to 38°N, which should be considered for seismic hazard

An acoustic study of the Almería Margin (eastern Alboran Sea, SW Mediterranean) was carried out by means of an integrated dataset, comprising deep-towed TOBI sidescan sonar, swath-bathymetry, TOPAS high-resolution seismics and sediment gravity cores. The Almería Margin is a complex system dominated by volcanic and tectonic features shaped by recent sedimentary processes, in which a regional hemipelagic sedimentation is intercalated by sporadic gravitative events. The aim of this work is twofold. The first objective is to recognize the sedimentary and tectonic features that shape the Almeria Margin. The main morpho-sedimentary and morpho-structural elements observed are: the Almería canyon/channel Turbidite System, the Dalías Tributary Valley System, landslides, active faults and folds and volcanic banks. The second aim is to explore and quantify the surface and subsurface seafloor parameters that characterize the backscatter of the study area. Sedimentary, geomorphological and biological elements that play a role in the acoustic signature of the Almería Margin were detected. Nevertheless, it should be noted that seafloor acoustic backscatter is also affected by geometrical and instrumental factors. Despite the wide variability of the environments studied, a low average acoustic backscatter reflects a diffused draping of hemipelagic sedimentation in the area. Higher backscatter values were observed at the top of some volcanic banks, along the Almería canyon, and in the shallower sector of the Dalías tributary valley system. The influence of subseafloor properties in the acoustic signature of the area was revealed by backscatter-grain size correlations, which were carried out for different depth intervals in sediment cores collected in the Almería Turbidite System. A poor relationship was found between backscatter and superficial silty sediments of the area, whereas a higher correlation resulted in the upper 50 cm. The presence of subsurface turbidites in the cores as

The high-resolution seismic stratigraphy of the Galicia Bank Region and adjacent deposits of the neighbouring Iberian and Biscay Abyssal Plains was included as part of the geological studies conducted in the area where the oil-tanker Prestige wreck is located. This seismic stratigraphy is characterized by five seismic units (5 to 1, from oldest to youngest) lying above an irregular acoustic basement defined by a highly fractured system of horsts and grabens. These faulted systems have controlled the local depositional architecture, deforming, fracturing, relocating and distributing sediments since the Valanginian. Three depositional models of facies can be recognized on the Galicia Bank Region and surrounding abyssal plains: bank, escarpment, and abyssal plain facies. The bank facies reflects the depositional evolution from initial filling to obliterating stages of the horsts and grabens. The escarpment facies has a local distribution and represents deposition associated with active slopes of the faulted escarpments. The abyssal plain facies represents gravity flow deposits coming mostly from the bounded-fault flanks of the Galicia Bank Region. The Valanginian to Quaternary sedimentary evolution of the Galicia Bank Region reflects depositional responses to tectonic condition. The occurrence of mass-movements confirms that the syn-rift period (Valanginian to Aptian age) along the Galicia margin was diachronous, beginning in the Interior Basin and shifting later toward the west of the Galicia Bank Region (Deep Galicia Margin). The Albian to Quaternary post-rift evolution is characterized by a decrease in tectonic activity and sedimentary variations in the style of deposition (valley and related features, mass-movement deposits, contourites, and drape deposits) conditioned by changes in the sedimentary processes, paleoenvironments, and tectonic reactivation of the regional slopes. The effects of tectonic movements persist, as evidenced in areas where faulted escarpment

The SW Iberian Margin is located at the convergence of the European and African Plates, where the largest magnitude earthquakes in Western Europe occur. Several active structures, such as the Marquês de Pombal fault, are potential sources of large magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis. Associated with faulting, submarine landslides are also commonly observed. A large area (~260 km2) of high acoustic backscatter in the central part of the Marquês de Pombal escarpment corresponds to a complex translational slide and debris flow. Detailed lithological description, physical properties and dating of four sediment cores sampled on the toe of the slide allow us to investigate the sediment facies, age and triggering mechanism of the Marquês de Pombal slides. The maximum age of the Marquês de Pombal landslide is 3270 ± 60 Cal yr BP. Radiocarbon dating of previous and subsequent Holocene mass wasting deposits gives an estimated recurrence rate of < 2 kyr. Although a number of mechanisms may be invoked to account for landslide triggering, earthquakes are the most likely triggering mechanism for the observed slope instabilities in the Marquês de Pombal area, at least during the Holocene

The southern margin of the Iberian Peninsula hosts the convergent boundary between the European and African Plates. The area is characterised by low to moderate magnitude shallow earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. In order to determine the possible sources of these events, we recently acquired swath-bathymetry, TOBI sidescan sonar and high-resolution seismic data on the Almería Margin (Eastern Alboran Sea). The new dataset reveals the offshore continuation of the NE–SW trending Carboneras Fault, a master fault in the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, and its associated structures (N150 and NS faults). These structures are active since they cut the Late Quaternary sedimentary units. The submarine Carboneras Fault zone is 100 km long, 5–10 km wide, and is divided into two N045 and N060 segments separated by an underlapping restraining stepover. Geomorphic features typically found in subaerial strike-slip faults, such as deflected drainage, water gaps, shutter ridges, pressure ridges and “en echelon” folds suggest a strike-slip motion combined with a vertical component along the submarine Carboneras Fault. Considering the NNW–SSE regional shortening axis, a left-lateral movement is deduced for the Carboneras Fault, whereas right-lateral and normal components are suggested for the associated N150 and NS faults, respectively. The offshore portion of this fault is at least twice as long as its onshore portion and together they constitute one of the longest structures in the southeastern Iberian Margin. Despite the fact that present day seismicity in the Almería margin seems to be associated with the N150 to NS faults, the Carboneras Fault is a potential source of large magnitude (Mw not, vert, similar7.2) events. Hence, the Carboneras Fault zone could pose a significant earthquake and tsunami hazard to the coasts of Spain and North Africa, and should therefore be considered in any hazard re-evaluation

How do we explore the seafloor and sub-seafloor? Tools and applications in Marine Geosciences. More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by the oceans, however, there is little in-depth knowledge of their submarine topography, internal structures and active processes. Progress in marine geosciences is closely linked to technology and the development of specialized instrumentation for geophysical exploration. Thus, the technological revolution that has taken place over recent years will allow us to gain a better understanding of the history and evolution of our planet