Influence of water masses on the seabed morphology around the Seamounts of the Motril Marginal Shelf (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean)

Abstract

From a detailed study of multIbeam bathymetry and seismic reflection profiles of high resolution (Sparker) we have studied seabed morphology around the seamounts of the Motril Marginal Shelf, to identify the contouritic features and to reconstruct the sedimentary Influence of bottom-current pathways. These features comprise elongated mounded separated and plastered drifts, moats, scours and terraces whose formation is related to the Intermediate (LIW) and deep water mass (WMDW) dynamics of the Alboran Sea. The seamounts act as topographic barriers and condition the pathways and velocities of the bottom currents which are subdivided in strands around them. Moreover bottom current activity could be induced alternatively by a denser and deepest water mass on cold climatic periods and by a lighter and intermediate water mass in warm interstadials