Along-slope oceanographic processes and sedimentary products around the Iberian margin

Abstract

The present contribution represents the first attempt to comprehensively describe regional along-slope processes and their sedimentary impacts around the Iberian margin, combining numerically simulated bottom currents with existing knowledge of contourite depositional and erosive features. The obtained correlation links the circulation of water masses with the main contourite depositional systems (CDS) and estimates other potential areas where new CDS could be found. Their study should be of great interest not only because of the stratigraphic, sedimentological, palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatological significance, but also because of their relation with possible specific deep marine geohabitats and/or mineral and energy resources.

A Pliocene mixed contourite–turbidite system offshore the Algarve Margin, Gulf of Cadiz: Seismic response, margin evolution and reservoir implications

“…Coriolis Forces push the water mass northwards, moving it around the mid-slope in the Gulf of Cadiz and extending round the west Iberian Margin. Close to the Strait of Gibraltar, current-meter moorings have recorded bottom water velocities in excess of 1 m s À1 (Baringer and Price, 1999;García et al, 2009;Hernández-Molina et al, 2011) and as a result, erosion and sand-deposition are the dominant ongoing processes. Features are closely tied to the erosive capacity of the bottom water mass (i.e.…”

Control of sediment supply, palaeoceanography and morphology on late Quaternary sediment dynamics at the Galician continental slope

“…Similar sediment conduits may exist on the Galician continental slope but to date these have not been reported in the literature. Most recently, Hernández-Molina et al (2011) pointed out that water-mass flow patterns around Iberia have high potential for contouritic sediment transport and deposition, and that the role of such has been significantly underestimated in the past.…”

Carbonate mounds: From paradox to World Heritage

“…Only some isolated mounds were spotted on the slopes of Galicia Bank. Yet, Mediterranean Outflow Water flows all along those margins (Hernández-Molina et al, 2011), cold-water corals are ubiquitous (Reveillaud et al, 2008) and internal waves have been documented at a vast scale in the Gulf of Biscay (New, 1987).…”