R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa - 26 September to 12 October 2017
Leaders: D. Casas, G. Ercilla and B. Alonso
The Fauces1 cruise is an activity carried out within the framework of the Spanish project entitled “Fauces” (CTM2015-65461-C2-R). The project addresses the study of marine geological hazards, with special emphasis on sedimentary instabilities associated with three submarine canyons located on the Mediterranean continental margins of southern Iberia (Palomares and Alboran margins).
The AUV AsterX provided by Ifremer, during the cruise will acquire very high-resolution bathymetric data in specific areas along the submarine canyons axis and margins (Fig. 1) with the aim of fit into the three main objectives of the project: 1) to determine the geomorphology and geological evolution of the canyons, during the Quaternary, their processes and controlling factors; 2) to analyze the slope-stability of canyon heads by means of sedimentary and geotechnical characterizations; and 3) to establish the key elements and geological processes that can represent a potential hazard.
Fig. 1. Location of dives expected for one of the study areas planned. | Fig. 2. R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa | Fig. 3. Deployment of the AUV AsterX |