ALBERT

Description: Highlights • 2-D velocity models at the highest slip patch during the Chilean 2010 Mw 8.8 earthquake. • The highest slip patch correlates with large accretionary prisms. • The highest slip patch correlates with low continental slope angles. • A similar pattern is observed along the giant 1960 Mw 9.5 earthquake rupture area. Abstract Subduction megathrust earthquakes show complex rupture behaviour and large lateral variations of slip. However, the factors controlling seismic slip are still under debate. Here, we present 2-D velocity-depth tomographic models across four trench-perpendicular wide angle seismic profiles complemented with high resolution bathymetric data in the area of maximum coseismic slip of the 8.8 Maule 2010 megathrust earthquake (central Chile, 34°–36°S). Results show an abrupt lateral velocity gradient in the trench-perpendicular direction (from 5.0 to 6.0 km/s) interpreted as the contact between the accretionary prism and continental framework rock whose superficial expression spatially correlates with the slope-shelf break. The accretionary prism is composed of two bodies: (1) an outer accretionary wedge (5–10 km wide) characterized by low seismic velocities of 1.8–3.0 km/s interpreted as an outer frontal prism of poorly compacted and hydrated sediment, and (2) the middle wedge (∼50 km wide) with velocities of 3.0–5.0 km/s interpreted as a middle prism composed by compacted and lithified sediment. In addition, the maximum average coseismic slip of the 2010 megathrust event is fairly coincident with the region where the accretionary prism and continental slope are widest (50–60 km wide), and the continental slope angle is low (〈5°). We observe a similar relation along the rupture area of the largest instrumentally recorded Valdivia 1960 9.5 megathrust earthquake. For the case of the Maule event, published differential multibeam bathymetric data confirms that coseismic slip must have propagated up to ∼6 km landwards of the deformation front and hence practically the entire base of the middle prism. Sediment dewatering and compaction processes might explain the competent rheology of the middle prism allowing shallow earthquake rupture. In contrast, the outer frontal prism made of poorly consolidated sediment has impeded the rupture up to the deformation front as high resolution seismic reflection and multibeam bathymetric data have not showed evidence for new deformation in the trench region.

Description: Highlights • New high-resolution bathymetry and MCS images of the Palomares margin are presented. • Main geomorphological and tectonic features along the margin are analyzed. • Bathymetry is mainly controlled by erosive and halokinesis processes. Abstract The Palomares continental margin is located in the southeastern part of Spain. The margin main structure was formed during Miocene times, and it is currently part of the wide deformation zone characterizing the region between the Iberian and African plates, where no well-defined plate boundary occurs. The convergence between these two plates is here accommodated by several structures, including the left lateral strike–slip Palomares Fault. The region is characterized by sparse, low to moderate magnitude (Mw 〈 5.2) shallow instrumental earthquakes, although large historical events have also occurred. To understand the recent tectonic history of the margin we analyze new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and re-processed three multichannel seismic reflection profiles crossing the main structures. The analysis of seafloor morphology and associated subsurface structure provides new insights of the active tectonic features of the area. In contrast to other segments of the southeastern Iberian margin, the Palomares margin contains numerous large and comparatively closely spaced canyons with heads that reach near the coast. The margin relief is also characterized by the presence of three prominent igneous submarine ridges that include the Aguilas, Abubacer and Maimonides highs. Erosive processes evidenced by a number of scars, slope failures, gullies and canyon incisions shape the present-day relief of the Palomares margin. Seismic images reveal the deep structure distinguishing between Miocene structures related to the formation of the margin and currently active features, some of which may reactivate inherited structures. The structure of the margin started with an extensional phase accompanied by volcanic accretion during the Serravallian, followed by a compressional pulse that started during the Latemost Tortonian. Nowadays, tectonic activity offshore is subdued and limited to few, minor faults, in comparison with the activity recorded onshore. The deep Algero-Balearic Basin is affected by surficial processes, associated to halokinesis of Messinian evaporites.

Description: Highlights: • The upwelling intensity can be tracked by the isotopic baseline of the food web. • Spatial gradients in upwelling were reflected in the δ13C of planktivorous fish. • Interannual diferences in the fish δ15N were likely due to dietary adjustments. Abstract: Food web configuration is shaped by many factors, including primary production patterns and oceanographic features, such as upwelling events. In this study, we investigate variability in the trophic position, food web interlinks and energy pathways of four planktivorous demersal fish in the Southern Bay of Biscay- NE Atlantic. The study area is exposed to upwelling events of varying intensity and shows a significant spatial gradient along the coast. The two sampling years were characterized by markedly different conditions, with weak summer upwelling in 2012 and an intense upwelling season in 2013. We used a complementary approach based on stomach content analysis (SCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA) to test the effects of upwelling intensity and persistence on the food-web. In particular we investigated whether different intensities shift the main flow of energy between the pelagic and benthic energy pathways. We found conspicuous interannual changes in the isotopic POM, whose δ15N was 2.5‰ lower during the productive 2013 season. Interannual changes in the isotopic signature of the fish species were also detected, although their values did not mirror variability at the basal level. The SCA results did not match the isotopic changes, which likely reflected dietary adjustments of the species during summer. The upwelling intensity gradient along the coast did not affect the nitrogen isotopic ratio of any group, however there was a significant effect of such gradient on the carbon isotopic ratio of the fish and euphausiid species. This effect was likely related to the higher primary production associated with intense upwelling conditions.

Description: In many places along the central and southern Chilean active continental margin sedimentary successions covering the forearc contain methane hydrate, resulting from a mixture of biogenic and thermogenic processes. Here, we report the spatial distribution of gas hydrate in the accretionary prism and forearc sediments offshore western Patagonia (50°S and 57°S), landward of the Antarctica-South America plate boundary. Knowledge of the forearc structure here is limited, owing to the small number of reflection seismic profiles available, lack of high-resolution bathymetry data and the absence of scientific drillholes. However bottom-simulating reflectors (BSR) indicative of gas hydrate occur regionally extensive below about one third of the forearc slope, between about 280 and 630 m below sea floor. BSR-derived heat flow was calculated at about 30 and 70 mWm−2. These are typical values above subduction zones of oceanic crust older than 10 Ma, where vigorous fluid flow above young and hot subducting oceanic crust has leveled off. To move towards an estimate of gas hydrate present in the sediments, the velocity model was converted into a gas-phase concentration model using data from one of the seismic sections. Average thickness of gas hydrate is about 290 m, and average concentrations estimated are in a range of 3.4%–10%. If we use the minimum value of 3.4%, the amount of methane present in the region is about 3.0 × 1013 m3 at standard pressure-temperature conditions. We conclude that the Pacific forearc of Patagonia area is an important reservoir of methane hydrates and we propose this area be considered as a potential methane hydrate concentrated zone and a key area to be investigated in the future.

Description: The Alpine orogeny is well recorded onshore and offshore by tectonic inversion of the Mesozoic rift basins. Large scale linear seamounts (more than 250 km long and with up to 5 km of uplift) involving oceanic and continental lithosphere were carried on top of thrusts, such as the Gorringe seamount and the Estremadura Spur in the SouthWest and West Iberia Margin, respectively. The SouthWest Iberia Margin also recorded the westward migration of the Gibraltar Oceanic slab as the westwards propagation of the Neo-Tethys subduction. Rotation of the tectonic compression from NW-SE to WNW-ESE inPliocene times caused the development of large scale dextral wrench faults as the present day Africa-Iberia plate boundary. Neotectonics of this plate boundary caused large to mega-scale destructive earthquakes and tsunamis.

Description: Background Recently, the study of marine natural products has gained interest due to their relevant biological activities. Specially, seaweeds produce bioactive compounds that could act as modulators of cell signaling pathways involved in a plethora of diseases. Thereby, the description of the molecular mechanisms by which seaweeds elicit its biological functions will certainly pave the way to the pharmacological development of drugs. Aim This review describes the molecular mechanisms by which seaweeds act and its possible utilization in the design of new drugs. Methods This review was conducted according to the PRISMA-P guidelines for systematic reviews. Two independent authors searched into four different databases using combinations of keywords. Two more authors selected the articles following the eligibility criteria. Information extraction was conducted by two separated authors and entered into spreadsheets. Methodological quality and risk of bias were determined applying a 12-question Risk of Bias criteria tool. Results and discussion We found 2360 articles (SCOPUS: 998; PubMed: 678; Wiley: 645 and EBSCO: 39) using the established keywords, of which 113 articles fit the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This work comprises studies in cell lines, and animal models, any clinical trial was excluded. The articles were published from 2005 up to March 31st 2018. The biggest amount of articles was published in 2017. Furthermore, the seaweeds tested in the studies were collected in 15 countries, mainly in Eastern countries. We found that the main modulated signaling pathways by seaweeds-derivate extracts and compounds were: L-Arginine/NO, TNF-α, MAPKs, PI3K/AKT/GSK, mTOR, NF-κB, extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis, cell cycle, MMPs and Nrf2. Finally, the articles we analyzed showed moderate risk of bias in almost all the parameters evaluated. However, the studies fail to describe the place and characteristics of sample collection, the sample size, and the blindness of the experimental design. Conclusion In this review we identified and summarized relevant information related to seaweed-isolated compounds and extracts having biological activity; their role in different signal pathways to better understand their potential to further development of cures for cancer, diabetes, and inflammation-related diseases.

Description: Highlights • Northern Hispaniola Margin is studied with new high-resolution bathymetry and vintage seismic data. • Northern Hispaniola Deformed Belt forms an active N-verging fold-and-thrust imbricate system. • Gravity failures are frequent features in the Northern Hispaniola Margin and Bahamas Banks slope. • Oblique collision accelerates the Bahamas Carbonate Province collapse and retreat. • New observations help the assessment of tsunami hazards in the Northern Caribbean region. Abstract The northern margin of Hispaniola records the oblique collision/underthrusting of the Bahamas Carbonate Province with the island-arc. Due to the collision, northern Hispaniola has suffered several natural disasters caused by major earthquakes and tsunamis, such as the historic earthquake of 1842, the tsunami caused by earthquake-driven slumping in 1918 in the Mona Passage, the seismic crisis of 1943–1953 with five events of M 〉 7.0 or the seismic crisis of 2003 with a main shock of M6.3 and a large aftershock of M5.3. Using new swath multibeam bathymetry data and vintage single- and multi-channel seismic profiles, we have performed a regional scale analysis and interpretation of the shallow surface and active processes along the northern margin of the Dominican Republic. We have identified three morphostructural provinces: a) the Bahamas Banks, b) the Hispaniola Trench and c) the Insular Margin, which are divided into two tectonic domains, the Collision Domain and Underthrusting Domain. The southern slope of the Bahamas Carbonate Province shows a very irregular morphology produced by active erosive processes and normal dip-slip faulting, evidence of an extensional tectonic regime and margin collapse. This collapse is of major extent in the Oblique Collision Domain where there are erosive and fault escarpments with higher dip-slip fault throws. The Hispaniola Trench, is formed by the Caicos and Hispaniola basins in the underthrusting domain, and by the Santisima Trinidad and Navidad basins in the Oblique Collision Domain. They have a flat seafloor with a sedimentary filling of variable thickness consisting of horizontal or sub-horizontal turbiditic levels. The turbiditic fill mostly proceeds from the island arc through wide channels and canyons, which transports sediment from the shelf and upper slope. The Insular Margin comprises the Insular Shelf and the Insular Slope. The active processes are generated on the Insular Slope where the Northern Hispaniola Deformed Belt is developed. This Deformed Belt shows a very irregular morphology, with a WNW-ESE trending N verging imbricate thrust-and fold system. This system is the result of the adjustment of the oblique collision/underthrusting between the North American plate and the Caribbean plate. In the Oblique Underthrusting Domain the along-strike development of the imbricate system is highly variable forming salients and recesses. This variability is due to along-strike changes in the sediment thickness of the Hispaniola Trench, as well as to the variable topography of the underthrusting Bahamas Carbonate Province. In the Oblique Collision Domain, the morphology of the Insular Slope and the development of the Deformed Belt deeply change. The imbricate system is barely inferred and lies upslope. These changes are due to the active collision of Bahamas Carbonate Province with the Insular Margin where the spurs are indented against the Insular Margin. Throughout the entire area studied, gravitational instabilities have been observed, especially on the Insular Margin and to a lesser extent on the southern slope of the Bahamas Carbonate Province. These instabilities are a direct consequence of the active underthrusting/collision process. We have mapped large individual slumps north of Puerto Plata in the Oblique Underthrusting Domain and zones of major slumps in the Oblique Collision Domain. These evidences of active processes must be considered as near-field sources in future studies on the assessment of tsunami hazards in the region.