ALBERT

Description: We examine the closure of the current plate motion circuit between the African, North American, and Eurasian plates to test whether these plates are rigid and whether the Gloria fault is an active transform fault. We also investigate the possible existence of microplates that have been previously proposed to lie along these plate boundaries, and compare the predicted direction of motion along the African‐Eurasian plate boundary in the Mediterranean with the direction of slip observed in earthquakes. From marine geophysical data we obtain 13 transform fault azimuths and 40 3‐m.y.‐average spreading rates, 34 of which are determined from comparison of synthetic magnetic anomaly profiles to ∼140 observed profiles. Slip vectors from 32 earthquake focal mechanisms further describe plate motion. Detailed magnetic surveys north of Iceland provide 11 rates in a region where prior plate motion models had few data. Magnetic profiles north of the Azores triple junction record a rate of 24 mm/yr, 4 mm/yr slower than used by prior models. Gloria and Sea Beam surveys accurately measure the azimuths of seven transform faults; our plate motion model fits six of the seven within 2°. Two transform faults surveyed by Gloria side scan sonar lie near FAMOUS area transform faults A and B and give azimuths 13° clockwise of them. Because recent studies show that short‐offset transforms, such as transforms A and B, are in many places oblique to the direction of plate motion, we exclude azimuths from transforms with less than 35‐km offset. The best fitting and closure‐enforced vectors fit the data well, except for a small systematic misfit to the slip vectors: On right‐lateral slipping transforms, slip vectors tend to be a few degrees clockwise of plate motion and mapped fault azimuths, whereas on left‐lateral slipping transforms, slip vectors tend to be a few degrees counterclockwise of plate motion and mapped fault azimuths. We search the long Eurasia‐North America boundary for evidence of an additional plate, but find no systematic misfits to the data. In particular, if a Spitsbergen plate exists and moves relative to Eurasia, its motion is less than 3 mm/yr. An Africa‐Eurasia Euler vector determined by adding the Eurasia‐North America and Africa‐North America Euler vectors is consistent with the Gloria fault trend and with slip vectors from eastern Azores‐Gibraltar Ridge focal mechanisms. A small circle, centered at the Africa‐Eurasia closure‐enforced pole, fits the trace of the Gloria fault. The model in which closure was enforced predicts ∼4 mm/yr slip across the Azores‐Gibraltar Ridge, and west‐northwest convergence near Gibraltar, ∼45° more oblique than suggested by a recent model based on compressive axes of focal mechanisms. Moreover, our model predicts directions of plate motion that agree well with northwest trending slip vectors from thrust earthquakes between Gibraltar and Sicily. Because closure‐enforced vectors fit the data nearly as well as the best fitting vectors, we conclude that the data are consistent with a rigid plate model and with the Gloria fault being a transform fault.

Description: The southern section of the Agulhas western boundary current system exhibits unique characteristics as regards ocean/atmosphere heat flux processes. The Agulhas Retroflection region's high heat flux core from 37°S to 41°S, 16°E to 22°E does not demonstrate a distinct annual cycle of turbulent heat fluxes (latent and sensible) as is characteristic of its northern hemisphere counterparts. Rather, a weak semiannual heat flux cycle is found with maximum average losses during winter and summer (200 and 211 W/m2 ) and minimum losses during spring and autumn (185 and 162 W/m2 ). Upstream where the Agulhas Current is closer to land, winter heat losses exceed those of summer, but the differences are small. This behavior contrasts with that encountered at the poleward ends of northern hemisphere western boundary currents where winter heat fluxes are several times those of summer. The main reason for this difference is persistent westerly and southwesterly wind flow over the Agulhas Retroflection region throughout the year which ensures that cold, unsaturated maritime air repeatedly forces loss of heat from the ocean's surface. Spatial heat flux gradients associated with the Agulhas‐Subtropical Convergence surface temperature front are more pronounced in summer than in winter, indicating that cyclogenesis locally may be less seasonally dependent than in the northern hemisphere situation. Average oceanic cooling rates in the core region of the Retroflection, based on net heat flux calculations and a mixed surface layer of 75 m, range from 1.35°C/month during winter to 0.25°C/month during summer. Interannual variability in ocean/atmosphere heat fluxes within the Agulhas Retroflection region often exceeds the variability illustrated by the annual cycle. West of the Agulhas Retroflection core region, interannual sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies are more influential in the generation of heat flux anomalies by virtue of their large temporal variability. This high SST variability is primarily attributed to interannual changes in flux of Agulhas Current water into the southeast Atlantic Ocean. Oceanic heat loss within this warm water zone is an important modifying influence to both ocean and atmosphere, thus meriting further research.

Description: This document provides information on the application of ethical standards and guidelines of Horizon2020 in OceanNETs concerning work conducted outside of EU- countries.

Description: The aim of this deliverable is to establish a strategy for the proper exploitation and dissemination of the results obtained in OceanNETs. We develop guidelines for knowledge management and protection as well as dissemination goals and also identify the target audiences and define the relevant communication channels and tools.

Description: The purpose of this deliverable is to provide detailed information on the informed consent procedures that will be implemented for the participation of humans, including the information about the management of informed consent forms. This pertains to work conducted in WP 2 Governance, policy, and international law, WP 3 Public perception, WP 6 Ocean alkalinization case studies, and WP 7 Stakeholder Dialogue and the Provision of Knowledge, which involves the collection of information from laypersons and stakeholders.

Description: This deliverable explains how the OceanNETs project ensures that it is compliant with data protection requirements. It outlines the methodology chosen to ensure compliance, as well as providing an overview of relevant tasks, and the measures employed to ensure compliance.

Description: This deliverable presents the list of International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) members, which is composed of international distinguished scientists to ensure external evaluation of the project and link to other programs and activities inside and outside Europe. The Terms of Reference list establishes the purpose and responsibilities of the ISAB.

Description: This deliverable reports about the successful completion of three group discussions on marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) with laypersons in Germany. The 2-hour group discussions were held online. 5 participants discussed these three topics: (1) the environmental state of the oceans, (2) four selected marine CDR approaches, and (3) responsible research and innovation. The four approaches were ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinization via ocean liming and electrochemical weathering in desalination plants, artificial upwelling, and blue carbon management via kelp forests, mangroves and seagrass meadows.

Description: This deliverable reports about the successful completion of three group discussions on marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) with laypersons in Norway. The 2-hour group discussions were held online. In three groups, and a pilot group, between 2 and 7 participants discussed these three topics: (1) the environmental state of the oceans, (2) four selected marine CDR approaches, and (3) responsible research and innovation. The four approaches were ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinization via ocean liming and electrochemical weathering in desalination plants, artificial upwelling, and blue carbon management via kelp forests, mangroves and seagrass meadows.

Description: The Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) is the transition zone from the Precambrian East European Craton in the north and east to the younger Phanerozoic mobile belts to the south and west. It is the most prominent lithospheric tectonic feature of Europe. The term Trans-European Suture Zone was only adapted around year 2000 during the Pan-European EUROPROBE program of the European Science Foundation. Until then, parts of the zone were termed Teisseyre-Tornquist Zone, Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, Trans-European Fault, and Tornquist Fan.