SUMMARY:

An integrated geological and geophysical study on the present-day structure and evolution of the Gibraltar Arc System (GAS) is proposed. The region encompasses the Alboran and Algero-Balear basins, the Betic-Rif orogen, and the Gibraltar  accretionary wedge. The primary objective is to have a better understanding of the interactions and dynamics of deep processes that affect the Earth’s lithosphere and crust, and external processes that are responsible for Earth’s exterior morphology and geological environment. The specific goals deal with processes occurring at different scales and thus require a multidisciplinar and complementary approach. Then, the study of deep processes in the GAS and adjacent zones include a characterization of the crustal and lithospheric structure; isostasy; rheology and seismicity; magmatism; brittle and ductile tectonic deformation; major tectonic structures and margin active tectonics. Surface processes will be studied in selected regions of the northern margin of the Alboran and Algero-Balear basins and include basin and sub-basin architecture, turbiditic and sediment-instability morphodynamic systems; seafloor morphology; paleoseismicity and actual seismicity ; and fluid migration and seepage processes in the Alboran Sea diapirs and mud volcanoes. The objectives and expected results are directed to: regional geology and geophysical mapping; hydrocarbon exploration; and geologic risk related to slope instabilities and seismicity.