6.3 Method
6.3.1 Datasets
The geomorphological study of the Alboran Sea was conducted based on four main
databases: (1) the multibeam bathymetric database, which consists of highresolution swath bathymetry data acquired in different expeditions, gridded to a
resolution of 25 and 50 m (Fig. 6.1a). The gaps in the bathymetric mosaic were
completed with the regional bathymetry from the GEBCO Digital Atlas, resulting in
a variable resolution mosaic; (2) the seismic database has been compiled in the
framework of several Spanish and international research projects, most in collaboration with French and Moroccan institutions, as well as from commercial hydrocarbon exploration projects (http://gma.icm.csic.es/sites/default/files/geowebs/
OLsurveys/index.htm). The database comprises single- and multi-channel seismic
profiles with different degrees of resolution, extending to various depths and resolutions (>1250 profiles) (Fig. 6.2a). All the seismic profiles were integrated into a
Kingdom Suite project (IHS Kingdom) for their accurate correlation and interpretation; (3) sediment cores recovered in various cruises (http://gma.icm.csic.es/sites/
default/files/geowebs/OLsurveys/samples.htm) and aligned along seven N-S transects of the Alboran Basin (1–7 in Fig. 6.2b); five cross (transects 1–5) the Western
Alboran Basin; one (transects 6) crosses the Motril Basin, Alboran Trough, and
Southern Alboran Basin; and the last (transects 7) crosses the easternmost Alboran
Trough and Sothern Alboran Basin. The N-S transects enable the sedimentary facies
to be defined and downslope and alongslope sedimentary processes to be compared;
and (4) the hydrographic database, which comprises (Fig. 6.2c): (a) more than 3000
CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) data points, downloaded from openaccess sources (Medatlas II: http://odv.awi.de/en/data/ocean/medatlasii/); (Sea Data
Net: http://www.seadatanet.org), allowing water mass characterisation; Acoustic
Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data, that provides the module and direction of
the different layers of the water column down to a water depth of 700 m.
6.3.2 Data Analysis
Three main types of analysis were carried out using different approaches and
techniques: (1) geomorphological and sedimentary analysis combining the
multibeam bathymetric mosaic and the seismic profiles; (2) sedimentological analysis of the sediment cores; and (3) descriptive hydrographic analysis. In the geomorphological and sedimentary analysis the features were defined based on their
overall dimensions, morphology and geometry, along slope and downslope elongations, acoustic facies, and strata patterns; the sedimentological analysis consisted of
a characterisation of the sedimentary facies, carried out based on grain-size distribution, carbonate content, presence of sedimentary structures, and sand fraction
162
G. Ercilla et al.
6.3.1 Datasets
The geomorphological study of the Alboran Sea was conducted based on four main
databases: (1) the multibeam bathymetric database, which consists of highresolution swath bathymetry data acquired in different expeditions, gridded to a
resolution of 25 and 50 m (Fig. 6.1a). The gaps in the bathymetric mosaic were
completed with the regional bathymetry from the GEBCO Digital Atlas, resulting in
a variable resolution mosaic; (2) the seismic database has been compiled in the
framework of several Spanish and international research projects, most in collaboration with French and Moroccan institutions, as well as from commercial hydrocarbon exploration projects (http://gma.icm.csic.es/sites/default/files/geowebs/
OLsurveys/index.htm). The database comprises single- and multi-channel seismic
profiles with different degrees of resolution, extending to various depths and resolutions (>1250 profiles) (Fig. 6.2a). All the seismic profiles were integrated into a
Kingdom Suite project (IHS Kingdom) for their accurate correlation and interpretation; (3) sediment cores recovered in various cruises (http://gma.icm.csic.es/sites/
default/files/geowebs/OLsurveys/samples.htm) and aligned along seven N-S transects of the Alboran Basin (1–7 in Fig. 6.2b); five cross (transects 1–5) the Western
Alboran Basin; one (transects 6) crosses the Motril Basin, Alboran Trough, and
Southern Alboran Basin; and the last (transects 7) crosses the easternmost Alboran
Trough and Sothern Alboran Basin. The N-S transects enable the sedimentary facies
to be defined and downslope and alongslope sedimentary processes to be compared;
and (4) the hydrographic database, which comprises (Fig. 6.2c): (a) more than 3000
CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) data points, downloaded from openaccess sources (Medatlas II: http://odv.awi.de/en/data/ocean/medatlasii/); (Sea Data
Net: http://www.seadatanet.org), allowing water mass characterisation; Acoustic
Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data, that provides the module and direction of
the different layers of the water column down to a water depth of 700 m.
6.3.2 Data Analysis
Three main types of analysis were carried out using different approaches and
techniques: (1) geomorphological and sedimentary analysis combining the
multibeam bathymetric mosaic and the seismic profiles; (2) sedimentological analysis of the sediment cores; and (3) descriptive hydrographic analysis. In the geomorphological and sedimentary analysis the features were defined based on their
overall dimensions, morphology and geometry, along slope and downslope elongations, acoustic facies, and strata patterns; the sedimentological analysis consisted of
a characterisation of the sedimentary facies, carried out based on grain-size distribution, carbonate content, presence of sedimentary structures, and sand fraction
162
G. Ercilla et al.