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Geological characterization of the Prestige sinking area
Gemma Ercilla1, Diego Córdoba, Josep Gallart
1Instituto Ciencias del Mar, CSIC, Paseo Marítimo de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. gemma@icm.csic.es
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|June 14, 2006
Summary
The Prestige tanker wreck lies on Galicia Bank, an area shaped by tectonic and sedimentary activity. Geological hazards from these processes impact the entire sinking zone.
Area of Science:
- Marine geology
- Geohazards
- Sedimentology
Background:
- The Prestige tanker sank in 2002 off NW Iberia, with its wreck parts resting on Galicia Bank at significant depths.
- Galicia Bank is a tectonically active structural high influenced by major faults, exhibiting moderate to low seismic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the geological setting and processes influencing the Prestige sinking area.
- To identify potential geological hazards in the region.
Main Methods:
- Geological and structural analysis of Galicia Bank.
- Assessment of faulting, sediment deposition, and mass-movement processes.
- Analysis of near-surface sediment composition.
Main Results:
- The sinking area is situated within an asymmetric, N-S trending half-graben structure.
- Fault activity and erosion have led to mass-movements, forming valleys and depositional lobes.
- Near-surface sediments are primarily terrigenous and biogenous turbiditic muds and sands, with pelagites on fault scarps.
Conclusions:
- Tectonic and sedimentary processes have significantly shaped the Galicia Bank's seafloor morphology.
- Potential geological hazards are present throughout the Prestige sinking area due to these ongoing processes.