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IBERIAN NODE. Jorge Miguel Miranda University of Lisbon - IDL jmiranda@fc.ul.pt. Objective s and framework. The Gulf of Cadiz, south of Algarve was chosen as an ESONET node, due to its interest to monitor Geo-hazards, Mud Volcanoes and Ocean Dynamics. Objective s and framework.
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IBERIAN NODE Jorge Miguel Miranda University of Lisbon - IDL jmiranda@fc.ul.pt All Regions Workshop #2
Objectives and framework The Gulf of Cadiz, south of Algarve was chosen as an ESONET node, due to its interest to monitor Geo-hazards, Mud Volcanoes and Ocean Dynamics. All Regions Workshop #2
Objectives and framework The seismicity of this area is the result of the tectonic activity along the Europe-Africa plate boundary.
Objectives and framework All Regions Workshop #2
From an oceanographic point of view the Gulf of Cadiz is of paramount importance for the study of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) because it affects the deep-water circulation on global scale. Objectives and framework All Regions Workshop #2
Objectives and framework Extensive mud volcanism, pockmarks, mud diapirism and carbonate chimneys related to hydrocarbon rich fluid venting are observed throughout the Gulf of Cadiz. Up to now 18 mud volcanoes, occurring at water depths between 700 and 3500 m, have been confirmed in this area by coring. All Regions Workshop #2
Scientific Questions • (i) Set-up and operation of a monitoring seismic network in the Gulf of Cadiz for the evaluation and mitigation of natural hazards, • (ii) monitor the temporal variation of the warm (13°) and saline (>37 g/l) Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW); since the MWO is affecting the deep-water circulation on global scale its variations, measured in the Gulf of Cadiz, may anticipate climate change at the scale of tens of years; • (iii) investigate the relative role of climate-controlled oceanographic variability and tectonic activity in the episodic formation and activity of fluid venting structures; • (iv) study of the ecosystems associated with gas. All Regions Workshop #2
Proposed Location All Regions Workshop #2
Regional Studies All Regions Workshop #2
Local Studies All Regions Workshop #2
Location All Regions Workshop #2
Basic Design All Regions Workshop #2
GEOSTART deployment NEAREST Abyssal Station 25 August 2007 22h 14 min TUC 3207 m, 150 km SW CSV All Regions Workshop #2
Seismic criteria for ATLANTIC Advisories Cooperation with NEAMTWS All Regions Workshop #2
Next steps and After the DM • Final design of the Node Observatory; • Re-deployment of the existing infrastructure on the forthcoming years; • Cabled observatory after 2012? • Cooperation with ARGO / EPOS All Regions Workshop #2
Outreach initiatives • Within ESONET outreach initiatives focus will be made on the Lisbon Aquarium. All Regions Workshop #2
Acknowledgements • GEOSTAR team, for providing basic observatory hardware; • All Portuguese and Spanish teams involved in the operation; • Esonet NoE members thank the EC for the FP6 contract # 36851 signed in Mar. 2007, as part of the EC Global Change and Ecosystems priority; All Regions Workshop #2
THANKS ! All Regions Workshop #2