Abstract
Abstract. The MOWER Cruise has executed a geophysics and geologic expedition in the Gulf of Cádiz (sector adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar) and west off Portugal, in the framework of the coordinate research project MOWER “Erosive features and associated sandy deposits generated by the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) around Iberia: paleoceanographic, sedimentary & economic implications” (CTM 2012–39599–C03). The main aim of this project is to identify and study the erosional features (terraces and channels) and associated sedimentary deposits (sandy contourites) generated by the Mediterranean Water Masses around the middle continental slope of Iberia (The Mediterranean Outflow Water – MOW – in the Atlantic margins), their Pliocene and Quaternary evolution and their paleoceanographic, sedimentary and economic implications. This objective directly involves the study of alongslope (contourite) processes associated with the MOW and across–slope (turbiditic flows, debris flows, etc.) processes in the sedimentary stacking pattern and evolution of the Iberian margins. The MOWER project and cruise are related to the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 339 (Mediterranean Outflow). It is also linked and coordinated with CONDRIBER Project “Contourite drifts and associated mass–transport deposits along the SW Iberia margin – implications to slope stability and tsunami hazard assessment” (2013–2015) funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (PTDC/GEO–GEO/4430/2012).
Highlights
The MOWER Cruise started and ended at the Port of Vigo, was carried on board of the RV Sarmiento de Gamboa, from September 1 to October 5 in2014, and was divided into two legs
The objectives of the MOWER Cruise have been: 1) to determine the latest (Holocene) sedimentary, oceanographic and paleoceanographic processes; 2) to establish the Pliocene and Quaternary evolution of the erosional features and associated sandy contourites, dealing with sedimentological aspects and addressing geohazards deducted from such evolution; and 3) to characterize the influence and control in a large--‐scale of the continental margin prior to and during the development of the erosional features and associated sandy contourites
THE ROV (REMOTED OPERATED VEHICLE) The system known as Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) is a submarine vehicle operator remotely
Summary
The MOWER Cruise started and ended at the Port of Vigo, was carried on board of the RV Sarmiento de Gamboa, from September 1 to October 5 in2014, and was divided into two legs. The first Leg, with an extension of 12 days, was developed in the Gulf of Cadiz. De Geociencias Marinas from University of Vigo (UVI); the Continental Margins research group from the ICM-‐Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas--‐CSIC (Barcelona), and members from the area of Marine Geology of the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España--‐IGME (Madrid). The paper is structured as follows: In section two we will overview different aspects of all the works that was developed during the cruise. In section four the works with the ROV are described with problems and advantages founded in its use with the developments needed for subsequent analysis of the information. In the fifth section part of the rest of geophysical work and sampling that took place during the cruise are described.
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