The 10-days multi-parameter oceanographic cruise, SARAS (South Alboran Research in Active Systems) is now concluded and intended to image and constrain active structures and associated sedimentary systems in the Alboran Sea by acquiring swath bathymetry, high and very high-resolution seismic reflection data. Combining the data with existing and available 2D-seismic lines will enable to link surface morphology and structures with the deeper geology, in order to gain a good understanding of regional geodynamics and constrain the geohazards, in particular seismicity. After all, seismic hazard assessment depends strongly on our ability to understand where strain is accumulated and how much of it is accommodated seismically. The SARAS cruise is linked to the international Marlboro projects (CNFC, INSU-2010-2011) within the French Termex (Terra Mediterranean Earth Science Experiment) and the Actions Marges Programs, as well as to the European TopoMed (Plate re-organization in the western Mediterranean: Lithospheric causes and topographic consequences) program and the Spanish national Contouriber project. The SARAS cruise is an European research effort to combine the specific know-how and existing databases among participating institutes from France, Spain, Morocco, Italy and Belgium. The availability of the integrated database is crucial in increasing our knowledge and understanding of the tectonic and sedimentary processes acting at different spatial and temporal scales. Such processes are responsible for creating potentially catastrophic events such as earthquakes, slope failures and consequently tsunamis. Marine geohazard assessment for the densely populated western Mediterranean region will significantly benefit from completing the high quality and high resolution bathymetry and seismic data coverage of the Alboran basin and combining the different databases.
For some information about the cruise results please see the cruise poster
