(Paleo)circulation models in the Alboran seas during the Pliocene and Quaternary

A multiple Contourite Depositional System has been defined in the Plio-Quaternary sedimentary register in the Alboran Sea. This multiple system formed by the Atlantic and the low density and high density Mediterranean Waters, which shaped the margins and basins since the opening of the Gibraltar Strait. Three different (paleo)circulation scenarios are proposed since then: the Atlantic water Flooding;the Pliocene circulation, characterized by immature low and high density Mediterranean waters and a strong countercurrent in the Western Basin; and the Quaternary circulation, characterized by tabular Mediterranean water masses with multiple current dynamics,an increasing influence of density contrasts, and climate shifts causing major vertical and horizontal displacements of their interfaces.Versión del edito

Djibouti Ville Drift (SW Mediterranean): Sedimentation and record of bottom-current fluctuations during the Pleistocene and Holocene

Seismic profiles and sedimentological data (bulk fraction) of two sediment cores recovered from the Djibouti Ville Drift (SW Mediterranean Sea) indicate that bottom currents have played a fundamental role in shaping the sediment drift. The deposits are composed of biogenous to mixed muddy and silty contourites. A grain size analysis of the terrigenous fraction together with mineralogical, magnetic susceptibility, 14C-AMS dating and stable oxygen isotope data have been analysed to reconstruct glacial and interglacial changes in the bottom currents during the last 133kyr. The sharp vertical grain size changes in the moat and drift indicate that there were substantial bottom current acceleration and deceleration events with faster flow speeds being registered in the moat environment. In sediments from glacial periods (MIS2, MIS3, and MIS6) and stadials 5b and 5d, there is a low carbonate content, high levels of terrigenous elements and paleocurrent proxy values suggest faster flows with the exception of MIS4. Deposits from the interglacial period (MIS1) and interstadials 5a, 5c and 5e, have a high carbonate content, low levels of terrigenous elements, and the paleocurrent proxy values indicate slower flows.Versión del edito

Water mass footprints in uneven turbidite system development in the Alboran Sea

Multidisciplinary work between oceanography, geomorphology and sedimentology has uncovered evidence explaining the uneven development of the turbidite systems (TSs) in the Alboran Sea. Nine TSs have been mapped in the Spanish margin, ranging from sandy to mixed sand-mud fans, and which become sandier towards the Strait of Gibraltar; in contrast TSs do not develop in the Moroccan margin, where three canyons incise the continental slope but there is no TS formation. We interpret that the uneven development of TSs in the two margins and their variable architectures are conditioned by the interaction of alongslope with downslope processes. Two different interaction scenarios with varying intensities are proposed.Versión del edito

Djibouti Ville Drift (SW Mediterranean): Sedimentation and record of bottomcurrent fluctuations during the Pleistocene and Holocene

2nd Deep-Water Circulation Congress: The Contourite Log-book, 10-12 September 2014, Ghent, Belgium.-- Alonso, Belén ... et. al.Peer Reviewe

Djibouti Ville Drift (SW Mediterranean): Sedimentation and record of bottomcurrent fluctuations during the Pleistocene and Holocene

2nd Deep-Water Circulation Congress: The Contourite Log-book, 10-12 September 2014, Ghent, Belgium.-- Alonso, Belén ... et. al.-- 2 pages, 1 figureSeismic profiles and sedimentological data (bulk fraction) of two sediment cores recovered from the Djibouti Ville Drift (SW Mediterranean Sea) indicate that bottom currents have played a fundamental role in shaping the sediment drift. The deposits are composed of biogenous to mixed muddy and silty contourites. A grain size analysis of the terrigenous fraction together with mineralogical, magnetic susceptibility, 14C-AMS dating and stable oxygen isotope data have been analysed to reconstruct glacial and interglacial changes in the bottom currents during the last 133kyr. The sharp vertical grain size changes in the moat and drift indicate that there were substantial bottom current acceleration and deceleration events with faster flow speeds being registered in the moat environment. In sediments from glacial periods (MIS2, MIS3, and MIS6) and stadials 5b and 5d, there is a low carbonate content, high levels of terrigenous elements and paleocurrent proxy values suggest faster flows with the exception of MIS4. Deposits from the interglacial period (MIS1) and interstadials 5a, 5c and 5e, have a high carbonate content, low levels of terrigenous elements, and the paleocurrent proxy values indicate slower flowsThis research has been carried out within the framework of the MONTERA (CTM2009-14157-C02-02) and MOWER (CTM2012-39599-C03-02) projects supported by the Spanish MINECOPeer Reviewe

(Paleo)circulation models in the Alboran seas during the Pliocene and Quaternary

2nd Deep-Water Circulation Congress: The Contourite Log-book, 10-12 September 2014, Ghent, Belgium.-- Juan, Carmen ... et. al.-- 2 pages, 2 figuresA multiple Contourite Depositional System has been defined in the Plio-Quaternary sedimentary register in the Alboran Sea. This multiple system formed by the Atlantic and the low density and high density Mediterranean Waters, which shaped the margins and basins since the opening of the Gibraltar Strait. Three different (paleo)circulation scenarios are proposed since then: the Atlantic water Flooding;the Pliocene circulation, characterized by immature low and high density Mediterranean waters and a strong countercurrent in the Western Basin; and the Quaternary circulation, characterized by tabular Mediterranean water masses with multiple current dynamics,an increasing influence of density contrasts, and climate shifts causing major vertical and horizontal displacements of their interfacesCTM 2008-06399-C04; CTM2009-14157-C02-02; CTM 2012-39599-C03-02; IGCP 619; INQUA 1204; Actions Marges; EUROFLEETS FP7/07-13, n228344Peer Reviewe

(Paleo)circulation models in the Alboran seas during the Pliocene and Quaternary

2nd Deep-Water Circulation Congress: The Contourite Log-book, 10-12 September 2014, Ghent, Belgium.-- Juan, Carmen ... et. al.Peer Reviewe

Submarine canyons and related features in the Alboran Sea: continental margins and major isolated reliefs

Vázquez, J. T. ... et al.-- Submarine Canyon Dynamics in the Mediterranean and Tributary Seas - An integrated geological, oceanographic and biological perspective, 15-18 April 2015, Sorrento, Italy.-- 14 pages, 5 figures.-- This is a contribution of the Continental Margins Research Group (CMRG- 2009SGR1071, Generalitat de Catalunya), Geosciences Marine Research Group (GEMAR - lEO) and Littoral and Marine Geophysical and Geological Research Group (RNM 0328, PAIDI)The analysis of a data set of multibeam bathymetry plus high resolution seismic and parametric profiles allow us to characterize the geomorphologic units on the Alboran Sea-floor as well as the evolution of morpho-sedimentary systems along the Pliocene and Quaternary, later than the main erosive Messinian event. Since the opening of the Gibraltar Straits, the sedimentary evolution of this basin has been controlled by the interchange of water masses between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Basin physiography is also a consequence of the Pliocene-Quaternary compression which has progressively uplifted the sourrounding reliefs and deforms the interior and the margins of the basin. On this scenario, several submarine canyons and gullies have been developed in this basin which traverse especially the northern margin and the flanks of the Northern Alboran Ridge, without affecting the African margins. This fact must be related to the action of bottom contour currents which constitute the main morpho-sedimentary process. The influence of water masses distributed the sedimentary input carried by rivers and coming from the erosion of surrounding ranges. In the southern margin of this basin this influence is stronger and inhibits the development of transversal submarine canyonsFunding for this research was provided by the following projects: CONTOURIBER, MONTERA, TOPOMED, MOWER, and VIA TARPeer Reviewe

Recent contourites in the Alboran Sea

Ercilla, Gemma ... et. al.-- 86° Congresso della Società Geologica Italiana, 18-20 Settembre 2012, Arcavacata di RendePeer reviewe