The Gulf of Cadiz: an unstable giant contouritic levee

Mulder, Thierry; Voisset, M.; Lécroart, Pascal; Drezen, E. Le; Gonthier, E.; Hanquiez, Vincent; Faugères, Jean-Claude; Habgood, E.; Hernández‐Molina, F.J.; Estrada, Ferrán; Llave, Estefanía; Poirier, Dominique; Gorini, Christian; Fuchey, Y.; Voelker, Antje H L; Freitas, Pedro Seabra; Sanchez, F. Lobo; Fernandez, L. M.; Kenyon, Neil H.; Morel, Jean-Luc

doi:10.1007/s00367-003-0119-0

Cited by 82 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The MOW velocities in different sectors of the Gulf of Cadiz show a high dispersion of values: from 300 cm/s in the proximity of the Strait of Gibraltar to 20-80 cm/s in the CCC (e.g. Kenyon and Belderson, 1973;Ambar and Howe, 1979a;Mulder et al, 2003). These current velocity variations are c1early conditioned by the bottom topography and give rise to sedimentary features such as channels and contourite deposits that have been influenced in the Late Quaternary by c1imatic and sea level changes, oceanographic conditions and local tectonic events García et al, 2009).…”

Section: Oceanographic and Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

et al. 2012

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Section: Oceanographic and Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

et al. 2012

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“…2; Brackenridge et al, 2013). For example, contour currents resulting from Mediterranean Outflow Water are thought to locally reach velocities in excess of 2.5 m/s when they flow through the narrow gateway of the Strait of Gibraltar (Mulder et al, 2003). We, therefore, assume that NPDW-CCs have maximum velocities of 3 to 10 cm/s, when they flow through narrow contourite channels around a topographic high (Figs.…”

Section: Downslope Seismic Facies: Unidirectionally Migrating Deep-wamentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow processes and sedimentation in contourite channels on the northwestern South China Sea margin: A joint 3D seismic and oceanographic perspective

et al. 2017

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“…2). Many authors have highlighted this interaction and have characterized its features along the middle slope (e.g., Gonthier et al, 1984;Nelson et al, 1993Nelson et al, , 1999Llave et al, 2001Llave et al, , 2006Llave et al, , 2007Llave et al, , 2011Habgood et al, 2003;Hernández-Molina et al, 2003, 2006Mulder et al, 2003Mulder et al, , 2006Marchès et al, 2007;Roque et al, 2012 among many other). Specific location of large depositional and erosional features within the CDS defines five morphosedimentary sectors (details in Hernández-Molina et al, 2003, 2006, whose development is related to a systematic deceleration of MOW as it flows westward from the Strait of Gibraltar, caused by its interaction with margin bathymetry and the effects of Coriolis force.…”

Section: Geological and Oceanographic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The extensive CDS that has been developing within the Gulf of Cádiz and extending around the west Iberian margin over the past 5 My is a direct result of MOW (e.g., Madelain, 1970;Gonthier et al, 1984;Faugères et al, 1985;Nelson et al, 1993Nelson et al, , 1999Llave et al, 2001Llave et al, , 2006Llave et al, , 2007Llave et al, , 2011Stow et al, 2002Stow et al, , 2013aHabgood et al, 2003;Hernández-Molina et al, 2003, 2006, 2011bMulder et al, 2003Mulder et al, , 2006Marchès et al, 2007;Roque et al, 2012;Brackenridge et al, 2013). The high accumulation rates and expanded sedimentary records of drift deposits permit a highresolution examination of past environmental change Voelker et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introduction and Goalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

IODP Expedition 339 in the Gulf of Cadiz and off West Iberia: decoding the environmental significance of the Mediterranean outflow water and its global influence

et al. 2013

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Abstract. IODP Expedition 339 drilled five sites in the Gulf of Cadiz and two off the west Iberian margin (November 2011 to January 2012), and recovered 5.5 km of sediment cores with an average recovery of 86.4 %. The Gulf of Cadiz was targeted for drilling as a key location for the investigation of Mediterranean outflow water (MOW) through the Gibraltar Gateway and its influence on global circulation and climate. It is also a prime area for understanding the effects of tectonic activity on evolution of the Gibraltar Gateway and on margin sedimentation. We penetrated into the Miocene at two different sites and established a strong signal of MOW in the sedimentary record of the Gulf of Cadiz, following the opening of the Gibraltar Gateway. Preliminary results show the initiation of contourite deposition at 4.2-4.5 Ma, although subsequent research will establish whether this dates the onset of MOW. The Pliocene succession, penetrated at four sites, shows low bottom current activity linked with a weak MOW. Significant widespread unconformities, present in all sites but with hiatuses of variable duration, are interpreted as a signal of intensified MOW, coupled with flow confinement. The Quaternary succession shows a much more pronounced phase of contourite drift development, with two periods of MOW intensification separated by a widespread unconformity. Following this, the final phase of drift evolution established the contourite depositional system (CDS) architecture we see today. There is a significant climate control on this evolution of MOW and bottom-current activity. However, from the closure of the Atlantic-Mediterranean gateways in Spain and Morocco just over 6 Ma and the opening of the Gibraltar Gateway at 5.3 Ma, there has been an even stronger tectonic control on margin development, downslope sediment transport and contourite drift evolution. The Gulf of Cadiz is the world's premier contourite laboratory and thus presents an ideal testing ground for the contourite paradigm. Further study of these contourites will allow us to resolve outstanding issues related to depositional processes, drift budgets, and recognition of fossil contourites in the ancient record on shore. The expedition also verified an enormous quantity and extensive distribution of contourite sands that are clean and well sorted. These represent a relatively untapped and important exploration target for potential oil and gas reservoirs.

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The Gulf of Cadiz: an unstable giant contouritic levee

Cited by 82 publications

References 36 publications

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

Flow processes and sedimentation in contourite channels on the northwestern South China Sea margin: A joint 3D seismic and oceanographic perspective

IODP Expedition 339 in the Gulf of Cadiz and off West Iberia: decoding the environmental significance of the Mediterranean outflow water and its global influence

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