Resumen de El nivel de "BSR" en el talud superior del Golfo de Cádiz: implicaciones tecto-sedimentarias y paleoceanográficas

Luis Somoza, Francisco Javier Hernández Molina, Juan Tomás Vázquez, Ana García García, Joao M. Alveirinho Dias, Víctor Díaz del Río Español

• The Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) has been determined by means of seismic profiles of high and middle resolution in the upper and middle slope of the Gulf of Cádiz in from of Faro, and in consequence the possible ocurence of hydrates is point out in this work. In adittion a lot of acoustic response due to the ocurrence of free gas has been characterised. The spacial distribution of the BSR is coincident with the area of interaction between the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) and the continental margin. The origin is attributed both the migration of gas (methane) coming up from normal faults which affect to this margin, and due to the equilibrium condictions generated by the MOW in this specific sector of the margin. Any change in the paleoceanographic and enviromental conditions should produce a destabilization of the hydrates and free gas, generating the mass gravitational movement processes and the sediment swept down slope.