Geomorphology and surface landforms distribution in selected ice-free areas in the South Shetland Islands, Northern Antarctic Peninsula region

Ice-free areas cover a small percentage of the land in the South Shetland Islands. However, they are significant as they contain ecosystems highly sensitive to environmental changes and are located within a region affected by global warming. These areas are dominated by periglacial, glacial, fluvial, and coastal processes and landforms, where permafrost is often present. Soil development is observed although vegetation cover is sparse and closely related to the geomorphology. The mapping and monitoring of ice-free areas is important as they are highly sensitive to climate change. The objective of this study was to characterize and map surface landforms in ice-free areas using traditional mapping methods as well as advanced remote sensing techniques. Geomorphological and topographical maps were initially obtained through field measurements and observations, and complemented with existing aerial photography at scales between 1:2000 and 1:25000. Thereafter, satellite-borne data became available and were included in the methodology to further determine the distribution of the landforms. In the Antarctic environment, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides the most reliable images as data can be obtained in any weather conditions as well as during the day and night. Fully polarimetric SAR RADARSAT-2 were used to determine seven different terrain classes representing surface landforms in ice-free areas around Maxwell Bay (King George Island). The SAR remote sensing techniques were successfully applied to identify different periglacial, fluvial, glacial, coastal, as well as lithological landforms. Field data from Fildes Peninsula were used to train a supervised classifier to map further areas around Maxwell Bay. In this case, the ice-free areas around Maxwell Bay clearly show the dominance of periglacial landforms and processes. Therefore, these techniques can be used to compare past and future results and to monitor areas affected by changing environmental factors and increasing human activitiesDepartamento de Geología y Geoquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, EspañaDepartamento de Medio Ambiente, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, EspañaDepartamento de Geografía, Universidad de Valladolid, EspañaInstituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaComputer Vision and Remote Sensing Group, Technische Universität Berlin, Alemani

Tectonics of the Iberian continental margins and abyssal plains

[EN] The tectonic map at scale 1:1,750,000 presented in this work shows an update of the existing knowledge of the main tectonic and volcanic structures along the Iberian continental margins and abyssal plains. The morphotectonic trends around Iberia recorded superposed geodynamic processes linked to the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean since the Mesozoic and the evolution of the Mediterranean Sea during the Cenozoic, as well as the reactivation of Hercynian faults and the formation of new tectonic structures during the Alpine orogeny. This map is based on the interpretation of the digital bathymetric model and other geophysical data from our own studies, and those from other authors. The morphotectonic features in this map provides a basis for the recognition of the tectonic control at lithospheric plate scale and the establishment of potential tectonic and volcanic risk zones.This work was supported by the C.N. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España-CSIC via SEGYBAS and 3D Vasco Cantábrica own projects, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation projects SEASTORAGE (TED2021-129816B-I00) and ALGEMAR (PID2021-123825OB-I00).Peer reviewe

Tectonic map of the Iberian continental margins and abyssal plains: Tectonic features and Main Map references

[Description of methods used for collection/generation of data] This map has been elaborated based on a compilation of different tectonic features described by other authors in scientific publications, books and PhD theses developed in different sectors of the continental margins of Iberia. The tectonic feature mapping derived from this compilation has been implemented in a Geographic Information System (GIS). In some cases, the structures shown have been redrawn or directly interpreted from the available geophysical information (bathymetry, seismic profiles, and potential fields).The tectonic features included in this dataset were compiled for a tectonic map at scale 1:1,750,000. This work shows an update of the existing knowledge of the main tectonic and volcanic structures along the Iberian continental margins and abyssal plains. The morphotectonic trends around Iberia recorded superposed geodynamic processes linked to the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean since the Mesozoic and the evolution of the Mediterranean Sea during the Cenozoic, as well as the reactivation of Hercynian faults and the formation of new tectonic structures during the Alpine orogeny. The delineation of the different tectonic features included in the dataset is based on the interpretation of the digital bathymetric model and other geophysical data from our own studies, and those from other authors. Accompanying the dataset, a PDF document with the bibliographical references used is also included.This work was supported by the C.N. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España-CSIC via SEGYBAS and 3D Vasco Cantábrica own projects, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation projects SEASTORAGE (TED2021-129816B-I00) and ALGEMAR (PID2021-123825OB-I00).Shapefile "Interpret_L". Shapefile "Interpret_P". MainMapReferences.pdfPeer reviewe

Application of advanced remote sensing techniques to determine widespread surface features within the northern Antarctic Peninsula region

International Permafrost Association. Congreso Ibérico (6º. 2017. Mieres, España)Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ

SILAB IGME’s laboratory information system and new applications for IGME’s services management: Geoscientific Information Systems and Institutional Databases

[EN] SILAB stands for "Laboratory Information System". It complies with the quality policy established in the laboratories. This policy establishes and maintains a high degree of quality in all testing activities performed, in order to ensure the reliability and objectivity of the results and services provided to its customers, while maintaining the confidentiality and security of the information obtained in the development of its activities. SILAB manages all laboratory workflows, from sample reception to quotation and invoicing. SILAB manages all samples, analyses and results. SILAB was conceived as a laboratory information management system to manage all the content and context of the IGME general laboratories. Despite the complexity of the quality procedures of IGME laboratories, SILAB was created as a web interface capable of managing workflows efficiently and completely.Peer reviewe