Numerous and frequent examples of deep water masses circulation processes and contourites have been recorded in the recent evolution of the Iberian margins, comprising both depositional (separated, sheeted, plastered and confined drifts) and erosive (abraded surfaces, channels, furrows and moats) and mixed features (terraces) of variable dimensions, depending on a variety of geological and oceanographic contexts. They are mainly formed under the influence of the Mediterranean water masses, especially by the interaction of the Mediterranean Outflow Water with the seafloor. On a global scale these contourite features does not only depend on the bottom-current velocity alone but also on several other major controlling factors, including: 1) local margin morphology affected by recent tectonic activity; 2) multiple sources of sediment supply; 3) water mass interfaces interacting with the seafloor; and 4) glacioeustatic changes, especially during the Quaternary, when an increasing influence of the bottom currents has been observed during the cold stages. The main objective of this study is to provide a review and description of the regional along-slope processes and their sedimentary impact around the Iberian margin. Despite their important scientific implications (stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeoceanography, palaeoclimatology), geological hazards and economic potential, there is no full knowledge about the different oceanographic processes which could drive bottom currents. Therefore, there is the need to document the big variety of contourite features (processes and products) for achieving their facies models and evolution over time and space

This contribution is a product of the IGCP-619 and INQUA-1204 projects and is partially supported through the CTM 2008-06399-C04/MAR (CONTOURIBER), CGL2011-16057-E (MOW) and CTM 2012-39599-C03 (MOWER) project, and partially supported through the Continental Margins Research Group (CMRG) at Royal Holloway Univ. of London (UK)

Llave, Estefanía ... et. al.-- VIII Simposio sobre el Margen Ibérico Atlántico (MIA15), del 21 al 23 de septiembre de 2015, Málaga.-- 4 pages, 1 figure

Peer Reviewed