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La representación de la mujer en el ámbito científico ha aumentado considerablemente en las últimas décadas, aun así, el número de científicas en puestos directivos sigue siendo algo anecdótico pese a que en las carreras de ciencias existe paridad en el número de estudiantes hombres y mujeres. Reunimos a 3 oceanógrafas para tratar temas que afectan a todo el universo femenino, como el techo de cristal, la reproducción, los cuidados…siempre a través de la visión personal de las tres protagonistas: Marta Estrada de 76 años es una reconocida médico y bióloga experta en fitoplancton, tiene 76 años de los que ha dedicado más de 50 a la ciencia, María Gómez de 45 años es geóloga marina, actual Vicedirectora Técnica y de Asesoramiento del IEO y Paula del Rio, de 21 años y estudiante de ciencias del Mar, La ciencia ya es cosa de mujeres. Al menos en lo que a número de estudiantes se refiere. Durante años, la cantidad de hombres en las carreras de ciencias era considerablemente superior a la de mujeres, una tendencia que se ha dado la vuelta. Ahora, en grados como Biología, Química o Geología podemos decir que nos acercamos mucho a la paridad. No sucede lo mismo según avanzamos en el tiempo. Unos años después vemos como las mujeres van “desapareciendo”. Cada vez son menos doctorandas, menos aún con becas postdoctorales; pocas profesoras titulares y las catedráticas o profesoras de investigación son muchas menos de la mitad de las que comenzaron con esa idea.

Carbonate mounds clustering in three fields were characterized on the upper continental slope of the northern Alboran Sea by means of a detailed analysis of the morphosedimentary and structural features using high-resolution bathymetry and parametric profiles. The contemporary and past benthic and demersal species were studied using ROV underwater imagery and some samples. A total of 325 mounds, with heights between 1 and 18 m, and 204 buried mounds were detected between 155 to 401 m water depth. Transparent facies characterize the mounds, which root on at least six erosive surfaces, indicating different growth stages. At present, these mounds are covered with soft sediments and typical bathyal sedimentary habitat-forming species, such as sea-pens, cerianthids and sabellid polychaetes. Nevertheless, remains of colonial scleractinians, rhodoliths and bivalves were detected and their role as potential mound-forming species is discussed. We hypothesized that the formation of these mounds could be related to favorable climatic conditions for cold-water corals, possibly during the late Pleistocene. The occurrence on top of some mounds of abundant rhodoliths suggests that some mounds were in the photic zone during minimum sea level and boreal guest fauna (e.g., Modiolus modiolus), which declined in the western Mediterranean after the Termination 1a of the Last Glacial (Late Pleistocene)

This article offers an overview of the main sedimentary systems defining the geomorphology of deep sea environments from low to high latitudes. Mass-transport deposits, turbidite systems, contourites, volcaniclastic aprons, glacial trough mouth systems, carbonate mounds and other bathyal systems, such as pelagites, hemipelagites, mid-ocean channels and polymetallic mineral deposits, are presented with special attention to their morphology, sediments, processes and controlling factors. The integration of the main systems on the continental margins and adjacent abyssal plains in the North Atlantic and westernmost Mediterranean allows to characterize different sedimentation models

The seafloor of the Alboran Sea reflects its complex tectonic, sedimentary, and oceanography dynamics as a consequence of the geological context, involving interaction between the Eurasian and African plates, and oceanographic context, as it is where the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters meet. Their physiography has a semi-enclosed configuration characterized by two margins (the Spanish Iberian and North Africa—mostly Moroccan margins) enclosing deep basins. Tectonic activity is mainly attested by folds and faults that predominantly affect the central and eastern seafloor sectors, as well as numerous seamounts and fluid-flow features (pockmarks, mud volcanoes, and diapirs) that dot the seafloor. The sedimentary and oceanographic processes allow us to distinctly define two principal environments in the Alboran Sea: the shallow proximal margin (continental shelf); and the deep distal margin (continental slope and base of the slope) with the adjacent sub-basins. The shelf mostly comprises prodeltaic and infralittoral prograding wedges, with local bedform fields, submarine valleys, and wave-cut terraces. Coastal and fluvio-marine sedimentary processes, acting since the last glacial period, are responsible for these features. The deep marine environment is characterised by the ubiquity of contourites, whose continuity is interrupted by turbidite systems, canyons, and landslides. The alongslope action of the Mediterranean waters and their interfaces with the Atlantic water has been the main process governing transport, seafloor reworking, and sedimentation of contourites. Mass-movement processes are responsible for the formation of: (1) turbidite systems—turbidity flows and mass flows were dominant during the last glacial sea-level lowstand, evolving to dilute gravity flows during present interglacial high stand; and (2) landslides—the main triggering factors comprising over-steepening, seismicity, under consolidation due to overpressure by interstitial fluids, stratigrap

Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) is one of the most active volcanoes in Antarctica, with more than 20 explosive eruptive events registered over the past centuries. Recent eruptions (1967, 1969, and 1970) and volcanic unrest episodes (1992, 1999, and 2014–2015) demonstrate that volcanic activity is likely occurring in the future. This is of special concern for scientists, logistic personnel, and tourists, since the South Shetland Islands are an important tourist destination and host numerous year-round and seasonal scientific stations and base camps. Significant efforts have been made to understand the complex magmatic and volcanic evolution of Deception Island with special interest on its subaerial part. However, studies on submerged volcanic cones within Port Foster, the sea-flooded part of Deception Island's caldera depression, are comparatively scarce. Here, we provide a full characterization of Stanley Patch volcano, the largest of these volcanic edifices. Estimated morphometric parameters based on new multibeam bathymetric data, supported by petrographic and chemical observations from rock samples collected on the crater rim, reveal that Stanley Patch volcano grew in a subaerial environment. This result, combined with previous findings and new sedimentological evidence from our ultra-high resolution seismic profiles, allow to further detail the island's geologic evolution since the caldera collapse. We conclude that the complete flooding of Port Foster could have only occurred after the formation of Stanley Patch volcano, i.e. during the last ~2000 years, and in a time period of a few days or less.

Deception Island is amongst the most active volcanoes in the Southern Ocean, with over 20 explosive eruptions in the last ca. 200 years. The eruption that formed the caldera at Deception Island occurred 3980 ± 125 calendar years Before Present, and it is the largest eruptive event documented in Antarctica during Holocene. Since then, post-caldera volcanic activity has comprised many scattered eruptive vents across the island. Mortality of benthic organisms has been reported during the most recent eruptions occurred on the island, in 1967, 1969, and 1970 Common Era (CE), with very low abundances of organisms during the 1967–1973 CE period. Within the sea-flooded part of the caldera depression, named Port Foster, a submarine volcanic axis with several volcanic cones is observed. An interdisciplinary team sampled the best morphologically preserved volcanic edifice within Port Foster, the so-called Stanley Patch. Geophysical data traced the volcano and characterized its morphology and inner structure. Underwater scuba sampling allowed to acquire sediment and rock samples, photographs and video images of the benthic organisms and seascape. Morphology of Stanley Patch cone and textural characteristics of the collected pyroclastic rocks indicate that the volcanic edifice was originated during an explosive eruption. Furthermore, the lack of palagonitization, quenched pyroclast margins, and hyaloclastite deposits indicate that this cone has formed on-land, before the caldera floor became inundated by the seawater, highlighting the complex intra-caldera evolution of Deception Island. A sediment core from the crater was collected for sedimentological, and geochemical analysis. Antarctic climate and seasonal sea ice, together with organic degradation due to high sedimentation rates, explain the low total organic carbon data measured. The volcanic history of the island has probably avoided the development of a stable benthic community over time, similar to other Antarctic shallo

Deception Island (DI) is amongst the most active volcanoes, with >20 explosive eruptions in the last two centuries. DI¿s caldera-forming eruption, a volcano-climatic event with hemispheric impact occurred 3980 ± 125c.y. before present, is the largest eruption documented in Antarctica during Holocene. Mortality of benthic organisms occurredby eruptions in 1967, 1969, 1970, with very low abundances from 1967-1973. Volcanic activity post-caldera-forming comprises many scattered eruptive vents across the island. A submarine volcanic axis with several volcanic cones is observed within the caldera, and volcanic edifices, morphologically well-preserved in the southern part of the bay raise from the seafloor up to >50 m. A multidisciplinary team sampled one of the submerged volcanoes, Stanley Patch (SP), in Port Foster (PF). Geophysical data allocated the volcano and characterized its morphology and inner structure. Direct sampling by SCUBA provided sediment and rocks, and photographs/video images of benthic organisms and landscape. Morphology of SP cone and textural characteristics of pyroclastic rocks (vesiculation, bubble shape) indicate an explosive volcanism origin, and fits with the post-caldera magmatic trend. A sediment core from the crater (4 cm Ø, 8 cm length) was collected for sedimentological, geochemical and geochronological analysis. Antarctic climate and seasonal sea ice, together with organic degradation due to high sedimentation rates, explain low TOC data. SP, and the whole PF, provide a unique, great natural laboratory for benchmarking the reestablishment of benthic communities on avolcanological-influenced shallow marine environment, offering relevant data for future studies evaluating global change effects on Antarctic seabed.

Durante esta mesa redonda, mujeres con una gran experiencia en importantes expediciones por todo el mundo, contaron su experiencia y compartieron anécdotas. Esta mesa tenía como objetivo servir de inspiración a jóvenes oceanógrafos a través de referentes femeninos y, a su vez, sirvió para evidenciar algunos de los problemas que se tratarían al día siguiente durante las mesas de debate. Participaron Ana Ramos y Ana Giráldez, participantes en la primera campaña antártida española; Belén Alonso, pionera en geología marina; y María Gómez, jefa del Área de Medio Marino del IEO con más de 50 campañas a sus espaldas

This work uses seismic records to document and classify contourite features around the Iberian continental margin to determine their implications for depositional systems and petroleum exploration. Contourites include depositional features (separated, sheeted, plastered and confined drifts), erosional features (abraded surfaces, channels, furrows and moats) and mixed features (contourite terraces). Drifts generally show high- to moderate-amplitude reflectors, which are cyclically intercalated with transparent layers. Transparent layers may represent finer-grained deposits, which can serve as seal rocks. High-amplitude reflectors (HARs) are likely to represent sandier layers, which could form hydrocarbon reservoirs. HARs occur on erosive features (moats and channels), and are clearly developed on contourite terraces and overflow features. Most of the contourite features described here are influenced by Mediterranean water masses throughout their Pliocene and Quaternary history. They specifically record Mediterranean Outflow Water, following its exit through the Gibraltar Strait. This work gives a detailed report on the variation of modern contourite deposits, which can help inform ancient contourite reservoir interpretation. Further research correlating 2D and 3D seismic anomalies with core and well-logging data is needed to develop better diagnostic criteria for contourites. This can help to clarify the role of contourites in petroleum systems

The northern margin of Hispaniola records the oblique collision/underthrusting of the Bahamas Carbonate Province with the island-arc. Due to the collision, northern Hispaniola has suffered several natural disasters caused by major earthquakes and tsunamis, such as the historic earthquake of 1842, the tsunami caused by earthquake-driven slumping in 1918 in the Mona Passage, the seismic crisis of 1943–1953 with five events of M > 7.0 or the seismic crisis of 2003 with a main shock of M6.3 and a large aftershock of M5.3. Using new swath multibeam bathymetry data and vintage single- and multi-channel seismic profiles, we have performed a regional scale analysis and interpretation of the shallow morpho-structure and active processes along the northern margin of the Dominican Republic. We have identified three morphostructural provinces: a) the Bahamas Carbonate Province, b) the Hispaniola Trench and c) the Insular Margin, which are divided into two tectonic domains, the Collision Domain and Underthrusting Domain. The southern slope of the Bahamas Carbonate Province shows a very irregular morphology produced by active erosive processes and normal dip-slip faulting, evidence of an extensional tectonic regime and margin collapse. This collapse is of major extent in the Oblique Collision Domain where there are erosive and fault escarpments with higher dip-slip fault throws. The Hispaniola Trench is formed by the Caicos and Hispaniola basins in the underthrusting domain, and by the Santisima Trinidad and Navidad basins in the Oblique Collision Domain. They have a flat seafloor with a sedimentary filling of variable thickness consisting of horizontal or sub-horizontal turbiditic levels. The turbiditic fill mostly proceeds from the island arc through wide channels and canyons, which transports sediment from the shelf and upper slope. The Insular Margin comprises the Insular Shelf and the Insular Slope. The active processes are generated on the Insular Slope where the Northern H

The acoustic facies analyses have provided an important basis for sedimentary processes in the deep-sea environments. The echo-character mapping, through the interpretation and correlation of very high-resolution seismic profiles, is a very useful tool for the characterization of the recent sedimentary processes and their distribution. This work presents the first echo-character map at 1:800,000 scale of the Galicia Continental Margin and the adjacent abyssal plains elaborated by the Geological Survey of Spain. The map was carried out on the basis of the analysis and interpretation of the bathymetry and reflectivity data from the SIMRAD EM12, EM120 and EM1002 echosounders, and the high-resolution seismic profiles from the SIMRAD TOPAS PS18 parametric echosounder. On the basis of seafloor morphology, surface bedforms, backscatter and sub-bottom acoustic echocharacters, 26 echo-types were identified in the uppermost sedimentary sequence. These echo-types have been grouped into four main echoes: Distinct, Irregular, Hyperbolic and Undulated, according to their main acoustic characteristics. This information has been acquired in the framework of the ‘Scientific Research Program of the Economic Exclusive Zone of Spain’, which is coordinated and leaded by the Defense Ministry of Spain, during the oceanographic cruises carried out on board of the R/V Hesperides in 2001–2003 and 2006–2009.

High-resolution multibeam bathymetry, seismic reflection data and underwater imagery were used to characterize the morphostructure as well as the ancient and contemporary habitat-forming species in three fields of clustered mounds that were recently discovered in the northern Alboran Sea. A total of 150 small mounds were detected between 140 to 300 m water depth. They display reliefs ranging from 2 to 17 m and circular or mainly NW-SE elongated shapes. The seismic reflection data highlight the presence of stacked buried and exposed mounds that exhibit acoustically transparent facies. They have an heterogeneous composition, mainly consisting of bioclasts of solitary scleractinians, bivalves and rhodoliths that are covered with soft sediments. These mounds may have gone through a complex mound development with a further geological and biological evolution in interaction with bottom currents. The analysis of these carbonate mounds may shed new light on the enormous scale of carbonate deposition along the Iberian Mediterranean margin

Complex multifault earthquake ruptures involving secondary faults emphasize the necessity to characterize their seismogenic potential better and study their relationship with major faults to improve the seismic hazard assessment of a region. High-resolution geophysical data were interpreted to make a detailed characterization of the Averroes Fault and the North Averroes Faults, which are poorly known secondary right-lateral strike-slip faults located in the central part of the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean). These faults appear to have evolved since the Pliocene as part of a distributed dextral strike-slip shear zone in response to local strain engendered by the diverging movement of the Carboneras Fault to the north, and the Yusuf and Alboran Ridge faults to the south. In addition, the architecture of these faults suggests that the Averroes Fault may eventually link with the Yusuf fault, thus leading to a higher seismogenic potential. Therefore, these secondary faults represent a hitherto unrecognized seismogenic hazard since they could produce earthquakes up to moment magnitude (M) 7.6. Our results highlight the importance of the role played by secondary faults in a specific kinematic framework. Their reciprocal linkage and their mechanical relationship with the main faults could lead to future complex fault ruptures. This information could improve fault source and earthquake models used in seismic and tsunami hazard assessment in this and similar regions

Recently acquired swath bathymetry, high-resolution seismic profiles and bottom sediment samples have revealed the presence of large-scale fine-grained sediment waves over the Gulf of Valencia continental slope. Like many other deep-water sediment waves, these features were previously attributed to gravitational slope failure related to creep-like deformation, and have now been reinterpreted as sediment wave fields extending from 250 m depth to the continental rise at ~850 m depth. Sediment wave lengths range between 500 and 1000 m and maximum wave heights of up to 50 m are found on the upper slope, decreasing downslope to a minimum height of 2 m. Seismic profiles showed continuous internal reflectors and several sediment wave packages were differentiated, being thicker on the crest of each wave and thinner on the downslope flank, indicating that these sediment waves are upslope-migrating. The sediment wave formation process was inferred from contemporary hydrodynamic observations, and internal wave activity is suggested to be the most probable mechanism for the sediment transport and deposition and subsequent maintenance of the sediment waves over the Gulf of Valencia continental slope

This study presents the results of seafloor habitat identification and mapping of a NE Atlantic deep seamount. An “assemble first, predict later” approach has been followed to identify and map the benthic habitats of the Galicia Bank (NW Iberian). Biotic patterns inferred from the survey data have been used to drive the definition of benthic assemblages using multivariate tools. Eight assemblages, four hard substrates and four sedimentary ones, have been described from a matrix of structural species. Distribution of these assemblages was correlated with environmental factors (multibeam and backscatter data) using binomial GAMs. Finally, the distribution model of each assemblage was applied to produce continuous maps and pooled in a final map with the distribution of the main benthic habitats. Depth and substrate type are key factors when determining soft bottom communities, whereas rocky habitat distribution is mainly explained by rock slope and orientation. Enrichment by northern water masses (LSW) arriving to GB and possible zooplankton biomass increase at vertical-steep walls by “bottom trapping” can explain the higher diversity of habitat providing filter-feeders at slope rocky breaks. These results concerning vulnerable species and habitats, such as Lophelia and Madrepora communities and black and bamboo coral aggregations were the basis of the Spanish proposal of inclusion within the Natura 2000 network. The aim of the present study was to establish the scientific criteria needed for managing and protecting those environmental values

The Palomares continental margin is located in the southeastern part of Spain. The margin main structure was formed during Miocene times, and it is currently part of the wide deformation zone characterizing the region between the Iberian and African plates, where no well-defined plate boundary occurs. The convergence between these two plates is here accommodated by several structures, including the left lateral strike-slip Palomares Fault. The region is characterized by sparse, low to moderate magnitude (Mw < 5.2) shallow instrumental earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. To understand the recent tectonic history of the margin we analyze new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and re-processed three multichannel seismic reflection profiles crossing the main structures. The analysis of seafloor morphology and associated subsurface structure provides new insights of the active tectonic features of the area. In contrast to other segments of the southeastern Iberian margin, the Palomares margin contains numerous large and comparatively closely spaced canyons with heads that reach near the coast. The margin relief is also characterized by the presence of three prominent igneous submarine ridges that include the Aguilas, Abubacer and Maimonides highs. Erosive processes evidenced by a number of scars, slope failures, gullies and canyon incisions shape the present-day relief of the Palomares margin. Seismic images reveal the deep structure distinguishing between Miocene structures related to the formation of the margin and currently active features, some of which may reactivate inherited structures. The structure of the margin started with an extensional phase accompanied by volcanic accretion during the Serravallian, followed by a compressional pulse that started during the Latemost Tortonian. Nowadays, tectonic activity offshore is subdued and limited to few, minor faults, in comparison with the activity recorded onshore. The deep Algero

The Palomares continental margin is located in the southeastern part of Spain. The margin main structure was formed during Miocene times, and it is currently part of the wide deformation zone characterizing the region between the Iberian and African plates, where no well-defined plate boundary occurs. The convergence between these two plates is here accommodated by several structures, including the left lateral strike–slip Palomares Fault. The region is characterized by sparse, low to moderate magnitude (Mw < 5.2) shallow instrumental earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. To understand the recent tectonic history of the margin we analyze new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and re-processed three multichannel seismic reflection profiles crossing the main structures. The analysis of seafloor morphology and associated subsurface structure provides new insights of the active tectonic features of the area. In contrast to other segments of the southeastern Iberian margin, the Palomares margin contains numerous large and comparatively closely spaced canyons with heads that reach near the coast. The margin relief is also characterized by the presence of three prominent igneous submarine ridges that include the Aguilas, Abubacer and Maimonides highs. Erosive processes evidenced by a number of scars, slope failures, gullies and canyon incisions shape the present-day relief of the Palomares margin. Seismic images reveal the deep structure distinguishing between Miocene structures related to the formation of the margin and currently active features, some of which may reactivate inherited structures. The structure of the margin started with an extensional phase accompanied by volcanic accretion during the Serravallian, followed by a compressional pulse that started during the Latemost Tortonian. Nowadays, tectonic activity offshore is subdued and limited to few, minor faults, in comparison with the activity recorded onshore. The deep Algero

Detailed analysis of recently acquired swath bathymetry, together with high-resolution seismic profiles and bottom sediment samples, revealed the presence of large-scale fine-grained sediment waves over the Gulf of Valencia continental slope. As many other deep-water sediment waves, these features were previously attributed to gravitational slope failure, related to creep-like deformation, and are here reinterpreted as sediment wave fields extending from 250m depth to the continental rise, at ~850m depth. Geometric parameters were computed from the high-resolution multibeam dataset. Sediment wave lengths range between 500 and 1000m, and maximum wave heights of up to 50m are found on the upper slope, decreasing downslope to minimum values of 2m high. Sediment waves on the lower part of the slope are quasi-stationary vertically accreting, whereas they show an upslope migrating pattern from the mid-slope to the upper part of the continental slope. High-resolution seismic profiles show continuous internal reflectors, with sediment waves merging down-section and sediment wave packages decreasing in thickness downslope. These sediment packages are thicker on the crest of each individual sediment wave and thinner on the downslope flank. 210Pb analyses conducted on sediment cores collected over the sediment wave fields also indicate slightly higher sediment accumulation rates on the wave crests. Sediment wave formation processes have been inferred from contemporary hydrodynamic observations, which reveal the presence of near-inertial internal waves interacting with the Gulf of Valencia continental slope. Internal wave activity is suggested to be the preferential mechanism for the transport and deposition of sediment, and the maintenance of the observed sediment wave fields. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

Our understanding of the role of bottom currents and associated oceanographic processes (e.g., overflows, barotropic tidal currents) including intermittent processes (e.g., vertical eddies, deep sea storms, horizontal vortices, internal waves and tsunamis) is rapidly evolving. Many deep-water processes remain poorly understood due to limited direct observations, but may generate significant depositional and erosional features on both short- and long-term time scales. This paper describes these oceanographic processes and examines their potential role in the sedimentary features around the Iberian margin. The paper explores the implications of the processes studied, given their secondary role relative to other factors such as mass-transport and turbiditic processes. An integrated interpretation of these oceanographic processes requires an understanding of contourites, sea-floor features, their spatial and temporal evolution, and the near-bottom flows that form them. Given their complex, three-dimensional and temporally-variable nature, integration of these processes into sedimentary, oceanographic and climatological frameworks will require a multidisciplinary approach that includes Geology, Physical Oceanography, Paleoceanography and Benthic Biology. This approach will synthesize oceanographic data, seafloor morphology, sediments and seismic images to improve our knowledge of permanent and intermittent processes around Iberia, and evaluate their conceptual and regional role in the sedimentary evolution of the margin.

Los márgenes continentales ibéricos son mayoritariamente de tipo pasivo, si bien, el sector septentrional ha actuado durante algunas etapas de su evolución geológica como un margen activo, y la zona meridional puede considerarse como un margen transformante que corresponde al límite entre las placas Ibérica y Africana y que también actuó como margen activo. Los diferentes tipos, orígenes e intensidades de los procesos endógenos que han afectado a los márgenes ibéricos han dado lugar al desarrollo de diferentes morfologías de origen tectónico y volcánico. La expansión del Atlántico norte ha contribuido al desarrollo de amplias plataformas marginales en los márgenes Cantábrico y de Galicia. La reactivación de fallas desarrolladas durante la Orogenia Varisca ha controlado la orientación de algunos de los más importantes cañones submarinos de los márgenes ibéricos. El Golfo de Cádiz se caracteriza por el desarrollo de morfologías relacionadas con tectónica salina, migración de fluidos, frentes de cabalgamiento y lineaciones de fallas direccionales con centenares de kilómetros de longitud. La Cuenca de Alborán y el Margen Bético muestran morfología relacionadas con la fase de rift miocena, que dio lugar al desarrollo de edificios volcánicos y relieves estructurales, y la posterior fase compresiva que comenzó en el Mioceno superior y se mantiene hasta la actualidad, con la formación de pliegues, fallas direccionales e inversas, fenómenos de diapirismo y desarrollo de volcanes de lodo. Por último, en el Margen Catalán-Valenciano y en el Promontorio Balear los rasgos morfológicos están estrechamente controlados por la presencia de altos y depresiones estructurales relacionadas con el desarrollo del Surco de Valencia durante el Paleógeno. Los rasgos morfoestructurales de origen endógeno han controlado de un modo muy importante la localización y magnitud de los procesos erosivos y sedimentarios a lo largo de los márgenes ibéricos y del mismo modo las morfologías asociadas a e

New high resolution bathymetry and backscatter, sediment sampling and ROV imagery offer new physiography, morphologic, acoustic and sedimentologic near surface characterizations with interesting implications for the habitat mapping. The previous known elements as contourites, valleys and mass-movement deposits has been mapped and characterized with more details. Additionally, new mounds, biogeneic in origin, and contouritic feature have been defined. Seafloor characterization also reveal that Le Danois Bank is defined by rocky outcrops with different nature, with a patchy cover of primarily fine sediments

[EN] The products of bottom current circulation around the Iberian continental margin are characterised by large erosional and depositional features formed under a variety of geological and oceanographic contexts. The Iberian margins are influenced by several water masses that mainly interact along the upper and middle continental slopes, as well as along the lower slope with the abyssal plains being influenced to a lesser extent. The main depositional features occur along the Ceuta Contourite Depositional System (CDS) within the SW Alboran Sea, in the Gulf of Cadiz (the most studied so far), the western margins of the Portugal/Galician margin, the Ortegal Spur and the Le Danois Bank or “Cachucho”. Moreover, erosional contourite features have also been recently indentified, most notably terraces, abraded surfaces, channels, furrows and moats. The majority of these features are formed under the influence of the Mediterranean water masses, especially by the interaction of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) with the seafloor. The MOW is characterized as relatively warm (13°C) and with a high salinity (~ 36.5), giving it a high density relative to the surrounding water masses, hence constituting an important contribution to the global thermohaline circulation, making it one of the most studied water masses surrounding Iberia. The development of both depositional and erosional contourite features does not only depend on the bottom-current velocity but also on several other important controlling factors, including: 1) local margin morphology affected by recent tectonic activity; 2) multiple sources of sediment supply; 3) water-mass interphases interacting with the seafloor; and 4) glacioeustatic changes, especially during the Quaternary, when the increasing influence of the bottom current has been observed during the cold stages. The main objective of this special volume contribution is to provide a review and description of the regional along-slope processes and their, [ES] En la evolución reciente de los márgenes continentales ibéricos se han registrado numerosos, y cada vez más frecuentes, ejemplos de procesos sedimentarios generados por la interacción de las corrientes con el fondo. Los productos de la circulación de las corrientes de fondo comprenden tanto rasgos contorníticos erosivos como deposicionales, de dimensiones variables dependiendo de los diferentes contextos geológicos y oceanográficos. En Iberia las masas de agua más relevantes interactúan principalmente a lo largo de los taludes continentales superior y medio y, en menor intensidad también en el talud inferior y llanuras abisales. Estas masas de agua han desarrollado depósitos contorníticos (monticulares separados, laminares, adosados, confinados y asociados a canales),así como rasgos contorníticos de origen erosivo, siendo los más destacables las terrazas, las superficies de abrasión, los canales, los surcos y las fosas contorníticas, en los márgenes del SW del Mar de Alborán, del Golfo de Cádiz (el más estudiado hasta la fecha), de Portugal, de Galicia, de Cabo Ortegal, y del Banco de Le Danois o “Cachucho”. Estos rasgos morfológicos se generar mayoritariamente bajo la influencia de las masas de agua Mediterráneas y en concreto por la corriente Mediterránea de salida (MOW). La MOW se caracteriza por ser relativamente caliente (13°) y por su alta salinidad (~36.5 ‰), que le confieren una alta densidad con respecto a las masas de agua circundantes, y considerándose una contribución importante a la circulación termohalina global. Es por ello que es una de las masas de agua, que rodean Iberia, más estudiadas hasta la actualidad. El desarrollo de estos rasgos contorníticos no sólo depende de la velocidad de la corriente, sino además de otros factores de control como: 1) la morfología del margen, afectada por la actividad tectónica reciente, 2) las posibles y múltiples fuentes de aporte de sedimento, 3) la interacción de la interfase entre distintas masas de agua con