Abstract
ABSTRACT In 2003, 2006–2009, 2014 and 2015, seven oceanographic cruises were carried out on board the Spanish R/V Hespérides in the Cantabrian Margin and the adjacent abyssal plains, covering an area of 219,124 km2. Based on the combined analysis and interpretation of the bathymetric and reflectivity data obtained with multibeam echo sounders (SIMRAD EM12, EM120 and EM1002), and ultra-high-resolution reflection seismic records acquired with the SIMRAD TOPAS PS18 parametric sounder, the mapping of the acoustic facies or echo-character at a scale of 1:1,200,000 has been carried out. Thirty types of echoes have been differentiated and gather into four main groups: Distinct, Irregular, Hyperbolic and Undulated. The echo-character depends on the acoustic response of the shallow sediment and the seabed morphology. Therefore, its analysis and characterization are basic for understanding recent and present-day sedimentary processes.
Highlights
The intrinsic capability of each sediment type to differentially absorb and scatter sound waves allows the geophysical systems to differentiate types and architecture of sedimentary deposits
This work presents for the first time a mapping of the echo-character of the Cantabrian Margin and the adjacent abyssal plains at a scale of 1:1,200,000 prepared by the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute in collaboration with the Hydrographic Institute of the Spanish Navy and the Spanish Royal Navy Observatory, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the Complutense University of Madrid
The data analysis was carried out in two phases: (1) echo-character classification based on ultra-high-resolution seismic reflection records acquired with the SIMRAD TOPAS PS18 parametric sounder; and (2) echo-characters mapping based on the high-resolution bathymetric and reflectivity data obtained with the Kongsberg EM12, EM120 and EM1002 multibeam echo sounders
Summary
The intrinsic capability of each sediment type to differentially absorb and scatter sound waves allows the geophysical systems to differentiate types and architecture of sedimentary deposits. This work presents for the first time a mapping of the echo-character of the Cantabrian Margin and the adjacent abyssal plains at a scale of 1:1,200,000 prepared by the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute in collaboration with the Hydrographic Institute of the Spanish Navy and the Spanish Royal Navy Observatory, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the Complutense University of Madrid. This mapping is a product of the ‘Scientific Research Project of the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone’ led by the Spanish Ministry of Defence
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