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  • Preliminary results of a study of magnetic properties in the Foum-Zguid dyke (Morocco)
    Publication . Silva, P. F.; Marques, F. O.; Henry, B.; Mateus, A.; Lourenço, Nuno; Miranda, J. M.
    This work focuses on the study of flow and propagation of magma using rock magnetic analyses along sections across the thick Jurassic dyke of Foum-Zguid (Southern Morocco). Thermomagnetic data show that Ti-poor titanomagnetite is the main magnetic carrier. Petrographic analysis shows that the main Ti phase (ilmenite) occurs either as lamellae within spinel (center of the dyke) or as isolated grains (dyke margin). Bulk magnetic properties display distinct behavior according to the distance to the dyke margin; grain size of the main magnetic carrier decreases towards the center of the dyke, while the natural remanent magnetization and the bulk magnetic susceptibility increase. Only the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid close to the dyke margin corresponds to that usually found in thin dykes, with the magnetic foliation sub parallel to dyke margins. Maximum principal axis is in most cases either parallel or perpendicular to the intersection between the planes of magnetic foliation and dyke wall. Moreover, when this axis is perpendicular to the intersection it is associated with a more oblate magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid shape, indicating the presence of complex magnetic fabrics. The studied magnetic properties show that, in this 100 m wide thick dyke, flow structures related with dyke propagation are only preserved close to the quickly cooled dyke margins. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Mantle dynamics and characteristics of the Azores plateau
    Publication . Adam, C.; Madureira, P.; Miranda, M; Lourenço, Nuno; Yoshida, M.; Fitzenz, D.
    Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores plateau is a region of elevated topography encompassing the triple junction between the Eurasian, Nubian and North American plates. The plateau is crossed by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the Terceira Rift is generally thought of as its northern boundary. The origin of the plateau and of the Terceira Rift is still under debate. This region is associated with active volcanism. Geophysical data describe complex tectonic and seismic patterns. The mantle under this region is characterized by anomalously slow seismic velocities. However, this mantle structure has not yet been used to quantitatively assess the influence of the mantle dynamics on the surface tectonics. In this study, we use a highly resolved tomography model to model the convection occurring in the mantle beneath the Azores region. The convection pattern points out two distinct upwelling, thus proving that the volcanism emplacement is created by a buoyant mantle upwelling. The modeled dynamic topography recovers well the characteristics of the depth anomaly associated with the Azores plateau, except for the south-eastern most part, thus proving that most of the depth anomaly associated with the Azores plateau is created by the present-day mantle dynamics. The stresses induced by the mantle convection can account for the lifting regime observed over the Azores plateau and the Terceira Rift, and its consequences in terms of surface morphology and seismicity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  • A subida do nível do mar durante o Holocénico no Golfo de Cadiz – tendência regional e diferenças locais
    Publication . Moura, Delminda; Boski, T.; Duarte, Duarte; Veiga-Pires, C.; Pedro, Paulo; Lourenço, Nuno; Diniz, Filomena
    In Guadiana River Estuary, the Holocene sequence is underlain by pebbly delta fan formed in two stages, prior to 5E and 3 highstands. The Holocene sedimentary sequence was lain either directly on gravels or on top of fluvial sands deposited between 11000 and 10000 yr. BP. An accelerated phase of infilling of the estuary by clayey sediments, containing marsh foraminifer Trochammina, began at ca. 9800 yr. BP when the sea level was about 39 m below the present.At ca. 7000 BP the central part of the estuary started to accommodate coarser sediments, partially introduced from the shelf. The first phase of the Holocene sea level rise at a rate of 0.85 m/century terminated at ca 6500yr. BP. Since then, the lagoonal bodies in the vicinity of estuary started to enclose behind sand spits and predominantly sandy sedimentation initiated within the estuary. After the second phase of a slower rise at the rate of 0.3 m/century, which lasted until ca. 5000 yr.BP, the sea approached the present level. Data from Guadalete Estuary published in Spain set the beginning of Holocene transgression at shallower level (ca 10m)than in Guadiana Estuary.This discrepancy may be explained by isostatic uplift of Betic Cordillera or slumping of Guadiana terrace on which the Holocene sediments are lain. Since 7500 yr. BP the data from Odiel-Tinto, Guadalete and Guadiana are in a relatively good agreement.
  • The postglacial sea level rise within the Guadiana Estuary- a contribution to a regional record in the Gulf of Cadiz
    Publication . Boski, T.; Moura, Delminda; Lourenço, Nuno; Veiga-Pires, C.
    In the Guadiana River Estuary, the Holocene estuarine infill is underlain by coarse delta fan sediments enclosing saltmarh deposits, dating back to isotope stage 5e or a stage 3 interstadial highstands.