@booklet {Martinez-Loriente2013a, title = {{Pre-stack depth migration seismic imaging of the Coral Patch Ridge and adjacent Horseshoe and Seine Abyssal Plains (Gulf of Cadiz): tectonic implications}}, year = {2013}, month = {apr}, publisher = {Universidad de Oviedo}, abstract = {Peer Reviewed}, url = {http://digital.csic.es/handle/10261/75234}, author = {Martinez-Loriente, S. and Gr{\'a}cia, Eul{\`a}lia and Bartolom{\'e}, Rafael and Klaeschen, D. and Vizcaino, A. and Sallares, Valenti and Da{\~n}obeitia, Juan Jos{\'e} and Zitellini, N.} } @article {Lebreiro2009, title = {{Sediment instability on the Portuguese continental margin under abrupt glacial climate changes (last 60kyr)}}, journal = {Quaternary Science Reviews}, volume = {28}, number = {27-28}, year = {2009}, month = {dec}, pages = {3211{\textendash}3223}, abstract = {It is well established that orbital scale sea-level changes generated larger transport of sediments into the deep-sea during the last glacial maximum than the Holocene. However, the response of sedimentary processes to abrupt millennial-scale climate variability is rather unknown. Frequency of distal turbidites and amounts of advected detrital carbonate are estimated off the Lisbon-Set{\'u}bal canyons (core MD03-2698, at 4602 mwd), within a chronostratigraphy based on radiometric ages, oxygen isotopes and paleomagnetic key global anomalies. We found that: 1) higher frequency of turbidites concurred with Northern Hemisphere coldest temperatures (Greenland Stadials [GS], including Heinrich [H] events). But more than that, an escalating frequency of turbidites starts with the onset of global sea-level rising (and warming in Antarctica) and culminates during H events, at the time when rising is still in its early-mid stage, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is re-starting. This short time span coincides with maximum gradients of ocean surface and bottom temperatures between GS and Antarctic warmings (Antarctic Isotope Maximum; AIM 17, 14, 12, 8, 4, 2) and rapid sea-level rises. 2) Trigger of turbidity currents is not the only sedimentary process responding to millennial variability; land-detrital carbonate (with a very negative bulk $δ$18O signature) enters the deep-sea by density-driven slope lateral advection, accordingly during GS. 3) Possible mechanisms to create slope instability on the Portuguese continental margin are sea-level variations as small as 20 m, and slope friction by rapid deep and intermediate re-accommodation of water masses circulation. 4) Common forcing mechanisms appear to drive slope instability at both millennial and orbital scales. {\textcopyright} 2009.}, issn = {02773791}, doi = {10.1016/j.quascirev.2009.08.007}, url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-70549094210\&partnerID=tZOtx3y1}, author = {Lebreiro, S.M. and Voelker, A.H.L. and Vizcaino, A. and Abrantes, F.G. and Alt-Epping, U. and Jung, S. and Thouveny, N. and Gr{\`a}cia, E.} } @article {Ercilla2008, title = {{High-resolution seismic stratigraphy of the Galicia Bank Region and neighbouring abyssal plains (NW Iberian continental margin)}}, journal = {Marine Geology}, volume = {249}, number = {1-2}, year = {2008}, month = {mar}, pages = {108{\textendash}127}, abstract = {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 escarpments and highs outcrop, and in areas of near-surface faulting. The syn-rift and post-rift stages have also conditioned the depositional architecture of the Prestige sinking area. The evolution of the surrounding abyssal plains does not reflect the same pattern to tectonic condition. {\textcopyright} 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {facies architecture, Galicia Bank, high-resolution seismic profiles, sedimentary evolution, seismic facies, stratigraphy}, issn = {00253227}, doi = {10.1016/j.margeo.2007.09.009}, url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39649109232\&partnerID=tZOtx3y1}, author = {Ercilla, G. and Garc{\'\i}a-Gil, S. and Estrada, F. and Gr{\`a}cia, E. and Vizcaino, A. and V{\'a}quez, J.T. and D{\'\i}az, S. and Vilas, F. and Casas, D. and Alonso, B. and Da{\~n}obeitia, J. and Farran, M.} } @article {Hernandez-Molina2008, title = {{Recent sedimentary processes in the Prestige site area (Galicia Bank, NW Iberian Margin) evidenced by high-resolution marine geophysical methods}}, journal = {Marine Geology}, volume = {249}, number = {1-2}, year = {2008}, month = {mar}, pages = {21{\textendash}45}, abstract = {An echo-character analysis of the oil tanker Prestige wreck area was undertaken using high-resolution marine geophysical methods (TOPAS and airgun seismic-reflection profiles, multibeam echosounder and TOBI sidescan sonar). Integration and comparison of the results using all these methods is presented given some practical applications for indirect near-surface and seafloor interpretations. Ten different echo types were identified and grouped into four main classes: I) distinct; II) indistinct; III) irregular and IV) hyperbolic. Echo-character distribution enabled us to determine recent sedimentary processes in the area. Two major depositional systems can be found through the identification of these sedimentary processes: a) a slope depositional system (SDS) located in the eastern and central area, where mass-movement processes are dominant and b) a turbiditic Main Channel depositional system (TDS) located in the western area where channel-related processes are dominant. Both of these interact over the half-graben structure of the southwestern sector of the Galicia Bank, where the Prestige wreck is located. Within the SDS, erosive and depositional mass-movement processes characterised a complex depositional system. Erosive processes occur on the fault scarp, channels head, inter-lobe channels and distal part of the sedimentary lobes. Moreover, depositional processes take place on the top of the fault scarp, sedimentary wedges, sedimentary lobes, and on the west flank of the Main Channel. Both depositional systems interact, but the SDS should be more active during fault-scarp reactivation periods, through relief rejuvenation and new exposed deposits. Microearthquake activity would favour the available materials, being weathered, eroded and transported by mass-movements. In such a situation, the TDS acts as the main collector of eroded sediment derived from the fault scarp throughout the SDS being responsible for its evacuation into the Iberian Abyssal Plain. However, outside of fault reactivation periods, the SDS is less active (such as during the present situation). {\textcopyright} 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {echo-character analysis, Galicia Bank, high-resolution seismic profiles, sedimentary process, swath bathymetry, TOBI sidescan sonar}, issn = {00253227}, doi = {10.1016/j.margeo.2007.09.011}, url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39549115454\&partnerID=tZOtx3y1}, author = {Hern{\'a}ndez-Molina, F.J. and Llave, E. and Ercilla, G. and Maestro, A. and Medialdea, T. and Ferrin, A. and Somoza, L. and Gr{\`a}cia, E. and Masson, D.G. and Garc{\'\i}a, M. and Vizcaino, A. and Le{\'o}n, R.} }