(Press-News.org) A Spanish research team, using 3D reflection seismology, has for the first time mapped the geomorphological features of the Ebro river basin between five and six million years ago. The images obtained show that the surface analysed is today 2.5 or 3 kilometres below the sea bed.
"The results shed light on the way in which the sea level fell during the Messinian (between 5.33 and 6 million years ago), and imply that the subsequent inundation of the river margins happened extremely quickly", Roger Urgeles, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Department of Marine Geology of the Institute of Sea Sciences (CSIC), tells SINC.
The study, which has been published in Basin Research, was based on 3D reflection seismology carried out on a 2,700 km² block of the continental margin of the Ebro. This technique enabled the researchers to see the morphology of the continental margin as it was six million years ago in great detail, and to map its drainage network, coastline and river valleys, channels, meanders and terraces.
According to Urgeles, the images obtained show that the Ebro river of six million years ago eroded and penetrated up to 1,300 metres into the continental margin. "The numerical simulations of fluvial transport and drainage evolution show that the Ebro in the Messinian period was similar in size and drainage basin to the Ebro of today", the expert points out.
The researchers say the period studied was "highly unique" in the Mediterranean, because when the Straits of Gibraltar closed, the sea level in the basin fell "dramatically", exposing the continental margins to atmospheric agents.
Quantitative analysis enabled the team of scientists to determine the real depth of this part of the continental margin during the Messinian. To do this, they restored the position of the Messinian coastline identified in the 3D seismic data, using techniques that make it possible to remove the effects of thermal subsidence, flexure of the Earth's crust and the compacting of sediments.
"The sea level during this period and in this part of the Mediterranean basin fell by around 1,300 metres", says Urgeles. The results also make it possible to determine the extent of the clastic structures associated with this drop in the sea level. "These structures are of interest to the oil industry, since they can act as a reservoir for hydrocarbons".
Exclusive 3D technology
The acquisition of data using this geophysical technique – 3D reflection seismology – "is accessible to very few research groups in the world", due to the high costs it entails. It is used almost exclusively in oil exploration. The data it provides provide a relief map of the ancient land surface, with the data of a similar quality to data taken from the planet's surface.
Using this technique, the research team managed to characterise the morphology of the strata and discontinuities. The scientists describe this tool as "much more rigorous and detailed" in its analysis of ancient sedimentary processes than the 2D reflection seismology traditionally used in academia.
This study was based on a 3D reflection seismology block made available by the oil company British Gas, along with the diagraphs (physical properties of the sediments extracted in a survey drill) of a three kilometre-deep well also made available by the company.
INFORMATION:
References:
Urgeles, Roger; Camerlenghi, Angelo; García-Castellanos, Daniel; De Mol, Ben; Garces, Miquel; Verges, Jaume; Haslam, Ian; Hardman, Martin. "New constraints on the Messinian sealevel drawdown from 3D seismic data of the Ebro Margin, western Mediterranean" Basin Research 23(2): 123-145, april 2011.
This is what the margins of the Ebro looked like 6 million years ago
2011-06-03
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Good News for Bankruptcy in New York
2011-06-03
On his way out of office in December 2010, now former New York Gov. David Patterson signed legislation giving people filing for bankruptcy something to celebrate. The bill raises the limits on several state property exemptions and allows debtors to choose between New York and Federal exemption limits.
Property exemptions are the assets protected from creditors trying to satisfy a money judgment during bankruptcy proceedings. New York's exemptions fall into the following categories:
- Homestead
- Motor vehicle
- Cash
- Jewelry and art
- Tool of trade
- Cash, household ...
Noninvasive diagnostics may offer alternative to liver biopsy for assessing liver fibrosis
2011-06-03
Patients who are evaluated for liver diseases such as hepatitis C (HCV) are typically recommended for liver biopsy to determine the extent of disease progression. For patients who question whether less invasive testing is available, clinicians now have alternatives options to consider. Elastography and serum markers are two such diagnostic options reviewed in an editorial published in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Epidemiological studies report that approximately 150,000 individuals in the U.S. are ...
New bitter blocker discovered
2011-06-03
PHILADELPHIA (June 2, 2011) -- Although bitterness can sometimes be desirable – such as in the taste of coffee or chocolate – more often bitter taste causes rejection that can interfere with food selection, nutrition and therapeutic compliance. This is especially true for children. Now, scientists from the Monell Center and Integral Molecular describe the discovery of a compound that inhibits bitterness by acting directly on a subset of bitter taste receptors.
"Bitter taste is a major problem for pediatric drug compliance and also for proper nutrition, such as eating ...
Are Debt Collectors Your "Friends?" Social Networks and Debt Collection
2011-06-03
The Federal Trade Commission recently held a seminar entitled "Debt Collection 2.0" and among the usual discussions of debt collection was a new topic: "Using Social Media for Debt Collection: Consumer Information, Collector Communications, and Privacy Issues."
Using social media, like Facebook and Twitter for debt collection purposes is something new. Joel Winston of the FTC told MSNBC, "We have received a few complaints about collectors who are using social media to either impersonate the person's friends or otherwise use it for harassment."
Social ...
Antifungal drug delays need for chemo in advanced prostate cancer
2011-06-03
The oral antifungal drug itraconazole, most commonly used to treat nail fungus, may keep prostate cancer from worsening and delay the need for chemotherapy in men with advanced disease. Details of the finding, from a clinical trial led by Johns Hopkins experts, are scheduled for presentation on Saturday, June 4 at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting (abstract #4532).
Currently, the drug is approved to treat fungal infections in nails and other organs. Serious side effects can include heart failure, and Johns Hopkins experts caution that ...
Novel 'prodrug' alleviates symptoms in Huntington's and Alzheimer's mice
2011-06-03
A study in a special early online publication of Cell, a Cell Press publication, reveals a promising new slow-release compound that protects mice against the neurodegenerative effects of both Huntington's and Alzheimer's disease. The 'prodrug' known only as JM6 works through a pathway involved in the breakdown of the amino acid tryptophan.
Surprisingly, JM6 delivers those benefits even though it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore cannot act directly on the brain.
"Most would have assumed that the drug would have to enter the brain to have an effect," ...
Utah Bicyclists Honor the Fallen in 'Ride of Silence'
2011-06-03
Thousands of events are scheduled across the nation to celebrate the joys and traditions that come with riding bicycles. While most events are geared to welcome spring and summertime activities, some, like the Bike Bonanza in downtown Salt Lake City, promote healthy living and efficiency. Another national event, the Ride of Silence, is dedicated to reminding people about bicycle safety and honoring those killed in bicycle accidents.
Each year since 2003, riders have gathered on the third Wednesday of May to bring awareness to the hazards bicyclists endure from motorists. ...
People who have had head injuries report more violent behavior
2011-06-03
AUDIO:
University of Michigan School of Public Health researcher Stoddard's research shows a link between violent behavior and brain injury in youth.
Click here for more information.
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Young people who have sustained a head injury during their lifetime are more likely to engage in violent behavior, according to an eight-year study from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Further, the research found that young people who suffered a recent ...
Partnership between autism experts, pediatricians identifies toddlers at risk for autism
2011-06-03
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Parents and health care providers can't always tell whether toddlers display signs of autism syndrome disorder (ASD), but new research from the University of Utah shows that a significant portion of at-risk children between 14-24 months can be identified through systematic screening by autism experts and providers working together.
Identifying children with ASD as young as possible is critical for the early intervention that can improve their lives and ability to function in the world. But a systematic way to do that has not been established, according ...
Study finds copper proves effective against new E. coli strains
2011-06-03
As the World Health Organisation suggests the E. coli outbreak in Germany is a strain never before seen in an outbreak – O104:H4 – laboratory science conducted at the University of Southampton indicates a role for copper in preventing the spread of such infections.
Professor Bill Keevil, Head of the Microbiology Group and Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at the University of Southampton, explains: "A study looking at copper's efficacy against new strains of E. coli has just been completed. Although it did not specifically look at O104, all the strains investigated ...