Jurassic magnetostratigraphy, 1. Kimmeridgian-Tithonian of Sierra Gorda and Carcabuey,southern Spain

Two coeval sections of red to white ammonite-rich pelagic limestones spanning the complete Kimmeridgian and most of the Tithonian were sampled in detail. All samples were treated by progressive thermal demagnetization to remove a present field overprint. Characteristic magnetization is carried primarily by magnetite. Polarity intervals are easily identified and correlate well between the two sections. The Tithonian polarity sequence can also be correlated to sections in northern Italy. The similarity between the polarity sequence and the M-sequence of marine magnetic anomalies, coupled with the precise biostratigraphic control, allows assignment of the following ages to the M-sequence: the Late/Early Tithonian boundary is correlated to the end of M-20, the Tithonian/Kimmeridgian boundary to the end of M-23, the Late/Early Kimmeridgian boundary to the latter part of M-24, and the Kimmeridgian/Oxfordian boundary within or slightly after M-25.The mean directions of characteristic magnetization have α₉₅'s less than 3° and demonstrate extensive differential block rotation within the Subbetic province. Paleolatitudes during the Kimmeridgian/Tithonian are in the range of 16–24°N.     

Geochemical evolution of groundwater in the carbonate aquifers of Sierra de Segura (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)

Sierra de Segura (Betic Cordillera), with a total area of over 3000 km², is the source of the two principal rivers in southern Spain, the Guadalquivir and the Segura. Due to the orographic effect of these mountains, precipitations are considerably more abundant than in nearby lowland areas, where the climate is semi-arid. Sierra de Segura is constituted of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks, among which there are thick limestone–dolomitic formations which have given rise to extensive outcrops of permeable materials. In geomorphological terms, there is a large plateau intensively karstified that constitutes the main recharge area. Discharge takes place via a large number of springs, of which the 50 most important add up to a mean spring flow of about 13,500 l/s. The active geochemical processes in aquifers of Sierra de Segura, with their corresponding time sequence, are: dissolution of CO₂, dissolution of calcite, incongruent dissolution of dolomite, dedolomitization, exsolution of CO₂, and precipitation of calcite. More evolved water has higher temperature, magnesium content and Mg/Ca ratio; therefore, these parameters can be utilised as indicators of the degree of hydrochemical evolution. In addition, a good correlation between water temperature and magnesium concentration (or Mg/Ca ratio) indicates that an increase in temperature accelerates the kinetics of the dissolution of dolomite. Finally, the distribution of the temperatures in the vadose zone, determined by atmospheric thermal gradient, implies an apparent stratification of the predominant hydrochemical processes and of the groundwater physical and chemical characteristics.     

Local earthquakes seismic tomography in the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain)

A crustal tomographic image, from the surface down to 35 km depth beneath the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain), is obtained using data on local earthquakes recorded at stations from the National and Andalusian Seismic Networks. The velocity structure and the hypocentre locations are derived from the inversion of P first arrival times, using an iterative simultaneous inversion method. The reliability of the results is assessed using different control parameters. The inverted velocity field in the uppermost layers shows a significant lateral variability which reflects most of the large-scale geological features of the Betic Cordillera. Well determined local surface anomalies allow to constrain the location and geometry of the most prominent Neogene sedimentary basins. The upper crust is well resolved throughout the whole region, and is characterized by relatively high velocities in the Internal Betics and in the South Iberian Massif and lower velocities within the External Betics. A relatively well constrained event cluster displays a NNE–SSW trend, and outlines the contact zone between the Internal and the External domains. The middle and lower crustal levels show reliable results beneath the central part of the Betic Cordillera. High averaged velocities are obtained within the South Iberian and the Alboran domains, in contrast to a relatively low velocity anomaly which characterizes the boundary between them. These findings support the hypothesis of the lack of well differentiated crustal levels below the contact zone, while crustal layering is better defined beneath the Alboran and the Iberian domains.     

ESR chronology of the fluvial sequence of Cueva del Silo (Sierra de Atapuerca,Spain)

The Cueva del Silo is part of the lower karst level of the Cueva Mayor-Cueva del Silo karst system (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain), whose evolution has preserved an impressive archeo-paleoanthropological sequence since the Early Pleistocene. Cueva del Silo is remarkable for the presence of fluvial deposits that record the entry of the Arlanzón River water in the cave system, providing a key sequence to investigate the fluvio-karstic relationships that give rise to this endokarst system. In order to provide a chronological framework to these fluvial deposits, six sediment samples were dated by Electron Spin Resonance and 16 samples by paleomagnetism, collected from two outcrops: Galería de las Arenas and Sala del Caos. Our results provide maximum mean age of around 1600 ka and a minimum age of 916 ± 136 ka for the deposits in Sala del Caos. The younger date from Sala del Caos might represent the last fluvial input from Arlanzón River in the lower karst level. In contrast, ESR ages estimates of 1268 ± 133 ka and 1262 ± 108 ka were obtained for Galería de las Arenas sequence, which could indicate re-sedimentation processes from the intermediate karst level where similar ages were published. The annual dose might be wrongly assessed due to the re-sedimentation processes inside the karst, hence, ESR ages for these facies should be treated with extreme caution.     

Seismicity pattern of the Betic Cordillera(southern Spain) derived from the fractal properties of earthquakes and faults

Several studies on earthquake occurrence and associated faulting have demonstrated that both phenomena have a scale-invariant behavior which can be analyzed by means of a set of non-integer dimensions(Dq) describing their fractal properties and the calculation of multi-fractal spectra.It is the case that the behavior of these spectra is asymptotic at the ends of the variation interval of q,which is a real number that enters into the definition of the partition function of the dataset.The difference between the extreme values,called multi-fractal spectrum slope,is used to investigate the heterogeneity of the spatial distribution of earthquakes and fault systems.In this paper we focus on the Betic Cordillera,southeastern Spain,which is commonly considered the contact between the Eurasian and African plates and has an important seismic activity in the context of the Iberian Peninsula.Some of the most conspicuous Iberian earthquakes,such as the 1829 mb6.3 Torrevieja and the 1884 mb6.1 Alhama de Granada earthquakes occurred in this mountain range and both reached intensity X.The present work implies a new analysis based on the slope of multi-fractal spectra and referred to the historical seismicity of the region,specifically b-value(frequency distribution of earthquakes respect to magnitude),epicentral location,seismic energy and faulting.On this basis we propose a seismotectonic zonation that is contrasted with the stress state and the geodynamical evolution of the Betic Cordillera.     

Quantitative reconstruction of Late Cenozoic landscapes: a case study in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos,Spain)

We have developed a method to reconstruct palaeorelief by means of detailed geomorphological and geological studies, geostatistical tools, GIS and a DEM. This method has been applied to the Sierra de Atapuerca (NE Duero Basin, Burgos, Spain), allowing us to model a three‐dimensional reconstruction of the relief evolution from the Middle Miocene to the present. The modelling procedure is based on geostatistical recovery of the palaeosurfaces characteristic of each geomorphological evolution stage, using polynomial regressions, trend surfaces and kriging. The modelling of morphology trends has been useful in establishing new geological and geomorphological relationships in the geodynamic evolution of this basin, such as uplift quantification, correlation of erosion surfaces and sedimentary units, and the evolution of fluvial base levels. The palaeosurface reconstruction together with an analysis of the slope retreat have allowed us to reconstruct the palaeoreliefs that define the Late Cenozoic landscape evolution of this area, where the Lower and Middle Pleistocene archaeopalaeontological sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca are located. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogeochemical balance of forest umbrisol profiles (‘Sierra de Gata’, central western Spain)

Three techniques for obtaining soil water solutions (gravitational and matrical waters extracted using both in situ tension lysimeters and in vitro pressure chambers) and their later chemical analysis were performed in order to know the evolution of the soil‐solution composition when water moves down through the soil, from the Ah soil horizon to the BwC‐ or C‐horizons of forest soils located in western Spain. Additionally, ion concentrations and water volumes of input waters to soil (canopy washout) and exported waters (drainage solutions from C‐horizons) were determined to establish the net balance of solutes in order to determine the rates of leaching or retention of ions. A generalized process of sorption or retention of most components (even Cl^?) was observed, from the soil surface to the C‐horizon, in both gravitational and matrical waters, with H₄SiO₄, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, and SO₄^2? being the net exported components from the soil through the groundwater. These results enhance the role of the recycling effect in these forest soils. The net percentages of elements retained in these forest soils, considering the inputs and the outputs balance, were 68% K⁺, 85% Ca²⁺, 58% Mg²⁺, 7% Al³⁺, 5% Fe³⁺, 34% Zn²⁺, 57% Cl^?, and 20% NO₃^?, and about 75% of dissolved organic carbon was mineralized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geoelectrical structure and hydrogeological investigations of the southern Rif Cordillera (Morocco)

An electrical prospecting survey is conducted in the Rharb basin, a semi‐arid region in the southern part of the Rifean Cordillera (Morocco) to delineate characteristics of the aquifer and the groundwater affected by the marine intrusion related to Atlantic Ocean. Analysis and interpretations of electrical soundings, bi‐logarithmic diagrams and the geoelectrical sections highlight a monolayer aquifer in the southern part, a multilayer system in the northern part of the Rharb basin and lenticular semi‐permeable formations. Several electrical layers have been deduced from the analysis of bi‐logarithmic diagrams: resistant superficial level (R₀), conducting superficial level (C₀), resistant level (R), intermediary resistant level (R′), conducting level (Cp) and intermediary layer of resistivity (AT). Spatial distribution of the resistivity deduced from the interpretation of apparent resistivity maps (AB = 400 and 1000 m) and the decreasing of resistivity values (35–10 Ωm), in particular in the coastal zone show that this heterogeneity is related to several anomalies identified in the coastal area, which result from hydraulic and geological processes: (i) heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity in particular in the southern part of the Rharb; (ii) lateral facies and synsedimentary faulting and (iii) the relationship between the electrical conductivity and chloride concentration of groundwater shows that salinity is the most important factor controlling resistivity. The distribution of fresh/salt‐water zones and their variations in space along geoelectrical sections are established through converting subsurface depth‐resistivity models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extended-range luminescence chronologies for the Middle Pleistocene units at the Sima del Elefante archaeological site (Sierra de Atapuerca,Burgos, Spain)

The Sima del Elefante site is located within the Sierra de Atapuerca karst system (Burgos, northern Spain), and forms part of a series of important Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene archaeological complexes that have been dated previously with luminescence techniques (Gran Dolina, Galería Complex, Sima de los Huesos, Galería de las Estatuas). This study focuses on the upper Middle Pleistocene units (TE18 and TE19) at Sima del Elefante, which contain Acheulean and transitional lithic assemblages (Mode 2/3), as well as large and small mammal fossils. Importantly, these uppermost units are associated with a sediment plug located in the cave's interior at Galería Baja, which marks the closure of a significant palaeoentrance to the Atapuerca karst system. Establishing the accumulation history of these related deposits is important for understanding both Lower Palaeolithic technological dynamics via comparisons with similar levels at other Atapuerca sites (i.e., Gran Dolina and Galería Complex), as well as past human occupation patterns and carnivore use of (and accessibility to) the caves. We present single-grain TT-OSL and multi-grain pIR-IR chronologies for the Sima del Elefante upper sequence and the Galería Baja sediment cone, as well as U-series dating results for a stalagmitic crust capping the combined clastic infill sequence. The paired luminescence ages for the upper occupation levels are in agreement with each other and reveal that the host deposits accumulated 576–481 ka for the TE18 stratified scree layers, 266–237 ka for TE19 and 206–250 ka for the Galería Baja upper cone section (weighted mean 2σ age ranges). A concordant U-series age of 202 ± 65 ka is obtained for the overlying stalagmitic crust at Galería Baja. The Sima del Elefante ages are consistent with those previously obtained using U-series and biochronology, confirming that there is an erosional unconformity and complex carbonate deposition phase associated with the upper layers of unit TE18 and that the original cave entrance likely closed by ∼200 ka. Chronological correlation with other Atapuerca sites reveals potential equivalence between TE18 and unit TD8 (at Gran Dolina), and between TE19 and units GIIb–GIIIb (at Galería Complex) and, possibly, TD10.1 and TD10.2 (at Gran Dolina), though more refined dating is required to confirm the latter.     

Contribution of environmental isotopes to the understanding of complex hydrologic systems. A case study: Sierra de Gador,SE Spain

Determining the content of ¹⁸O and deuterium in the groundwater at the southern edge of the Sierra de Gador, between October 1991 and March 1993, has enabled identification of the flow system of the waters, the recharge and mixing processes and the possible mechanisms of salinization. Analysis of the precipitation indicates the dominant source and direction of the air masses. The local meteoric water line that is established indicates a primarily Mediterranean origin for the precipitation recharging the aquifers. The variation of ¹⁸O content with altitude (−0·35 per mille per 100 m) enables an estimation of the principal recharge area, which corresponds to a zone between 1200 and 1800 m a.s.l. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Untangling the Palaeocene climatic rhythm: an astronomically calibrated Early Palaeocene magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy at Zumaia (Basque basin, northern Spain)

The magnetostratigraphy of a 54-m-long section above the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary at the sea-cliff section of Zumaia in the Basque basin (northern Spain) has been established. The section encompasses the entire Danian and the lower part of the Selandian stages as indicated by calcareous plankton biostratigraphy. The studied interval consists of (hemi)pelagic limestone-marl alternations in the form of couplets and bundles, which range from centimetre/decimetre to metre scale respectively and a few thin-bedded calcareous turbidites. The magnetostratigraphy, based on samples from about 200 stratigraphic levels, allows the identification of six reversal boundaries from chron C29r to C26r at a bed level. The spatial (or temporal) evolution of periodicities from a lithologically coded series is studied with the continuous wavelet transform technique. A preliminary age model based on the standard CK95 GPTS indicates that the basic lithologic carbonate-marl couplet corresponds to the 19-23-kyr precession cycle (21-31-cm cycle in the depth domain) and that a bundle cycle (usually groups of four to six basic couplets) with global periodicity centred at 1.22 m corresponds to the ∼110-kyr eccentricity cycle. We have tuned the bundle cycles to the Va03_R7 eccentricity orbital solution [Astrophys. J. 592 (2003) 620-630] following an initial match of a node of the ∼2.4-Ma eccentricity modulatory cycle in the target time series to particularly carbonate-rich bundles from the upper part of the Zumaia section that displays significant power of a 4.4-m-period cycle corresponding to the ∼404-kyr eccentricity cycle. Consistency between lithologic patterns and characteristics in the eccentricity target is reasonably met although the ∼404-kyr eccentricity cycle is not persistent throughout. The tuning, however, appears robust as it brings the age of the K/T boundary at ∼65.8 Ma. It is argued that a sea-level signal (tectonically driven?) is superimposed on the climatic forcing at the Milankovitch band masking the full expression of the low-frequency astronomical periods. We provide a cycle-tuned duration for all intervening Early Palaeocene polarity chrons and estimate relative ages for bioevents. The cycle-tuned chronology indicates that the CK95 GPTS overestimates the duration of chrons C28 and C27 by 20 and 26% respectively. Our data may prove useful to better constrain Early Palaeocene biostratigraphy of calcareous plankton and in the redefinition of the boundary between the Danian and Selandian stages.     

Gully-head morphology and implications for gully development on abandoned fields in a semi-arid environment,Sierra de Gata,southeast Spain

In this paper we examine whether gully-head morphology can be used as an indicator for gully development and, hence, for sediment production. A survey was conducted at five hillslopes in the Sierra de Gata where different types of channel heads occur close to each other. The survey included measurements of morphologic and pedologic properties, ground surface, channel and catchment characteristics of every gully head present (n = 59). On the basis of the observed morphologies, the heads were subdivided into four types: gradual, transitional (a short inclined section), abrupt and rilled-abrupt. The analyses showed that it is possible to explain the differences of gully heads and the role of some environmental factors on the basis of their morphologies, at least for the gradual and the abrupt types. The results suggested that steep headcuts (abrupt) were formed from secondary headcuts in the channel, which migrated upstream. The abrupt headcuts were always formed in more than one soil layer of which one was a resistant (stony) layer. However, shear strength measurements (at saturation) showed that the top layer was not always the most resistant one. Width–depth relationships indicated that gradual type headcuts were controlled by fluvial processes and abrupt headcuts by a combination of fluvial and mass-wasting processes. Gradual types occurred more downslope than the abrupt types suggesting that the incisions started by fluvial processes and migrated upwards when knickpoints developed in the channel. The rilled-abrupt types are still actively retreating. Thus, the abrupt types correspond to slower retreat rates. Abrupt gully heads may deteriorate into transitional types when plunge-pool erosion becomes less effective. The conceptual model is supported by data from ephemeral gullies in two other study areas (Sierra de la Torrecilla, Spain, and Alentejo, Portugal). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tectono-metamorphic history of the Tacagua ophiolitic unit (Cordillera de la Costa, northern Venezuela): Insights in the evolution of the southern margin of the Caribbean Plate

Abstract   The southern margin of the Caribbean Plate is well exposed in the Cordillera de la Costa of northern Venezuela, where amalgamated terranes consisting of continental and oceanic units occur. In the Cordillera de la Costa, metamorphosed oceanic units crop out along the coast near Caracas. Among them, the Tacagua unit is characterized by metaserpentinites and metabasites showing mid-oceanic ridge basalt geochemical affinity. These lithologies, representative of a disrupted ophiolite sequence, are associated with metasediments consisting of calcschists alternating with pelitic and psammitic schists, whose protoliths were probably represented by deep-sea hemipelagic and turbiditic deposits. In the Tacagua unit, a polyphase deformation history has been reconstructed, consisting of four folding phases from D1 to D4 . Geological setting suggests an involvement of the Tacagua unit in the processes connected with a subduction zone. The following deformations (from D2 to D4 ) observed in the field might be related to the exhumation history of the Tacagua unit. The late deformation history consists of an alternation of deformation phases characterized by displacement parallel ( D2 and D4 phases) and normal ( D3 phase) to plate boundary between the Caribbean and South America Plates. All lines of geological evidence suggest that the whole evolution of the Tacagua unit was acquired in a setting dominated by oblique convergence, in which alternation of strike-slip and pure compressional or pure extensional tectonics occurred through time.     

Shallow Seismic Velocity Structure of the Betic Cordillera (Southern Spain) from Modelling of Rayleigh Wave Dispersion

A detailed dispersion analysis of Rayleigh waves generated by local earthquakes and occasionally by blasts that occurred in southern Spain, was undertaken to obtain the shear-wave velocity structure of the region at shallow depth. Our database includes seismograms generated by 35 seismic events that were recorded by 15 single-component short-period stations from 1990 to 1995. All these events have focal depths less than 10 km and body-wave magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0, and they were all recorded at distances between 40 and 300 km from the epicentre. We analysed a total of 90 source-station Rayleigh-wave paths. The collected data were processed by standard digital filtering techniques to obtain Rayleigh-wave group-velocity dispersion measurements. The path-averaged group velocities vary from 1.12 to 2.25 km/s within the 1.0-6.0 s period interval. Then, using a stochastic inversion approach we obtained 1-D shear-wave velocity–depth models across the study area, which were resolved to a depth of circa 5 km. The inverted shear-wave velocities range approximately between 1.0 and 3.8 km/s with a standard deviation range of 0.05–0.16 km/s, and show significant variations from region to region. These results were combined to produce 3-D images via volumetric modelling and data visualization. We present images that show different shear velocity patterns for the Betic Cordillera. Looking at the velocity distribution at various depths and at vertical sections, we discuss of the study area in terms of subsurface structure and S-wave velocity distribution (low velocity channels, basement depth, etc.) at very shallow depths (0–5 km). Our results characterize the region sufficiently and lead to a correlation of shear-wave velocity with the different geological units features.     

The role of aridification in constraining the elevation range of Holocene solifluction processes and associated landforms in the periglacial belt of the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain)

Climate variability during the Mid‐Late Holocene has influenced the activity of geomorphic processes in the current periglacial belt of the Sierra Nevada. We studied two types of sedimentary records that reveal a synchronous timing for slope instability in this high semi‐arid massif: solifluction landforms and mountain lake sediments. Lithological and sedimentological properties of both records have recorded numerous cycles of different magnitude of slope processes in the massif. Solifluction deposits record seven phases of solifluction activity and soil development during the last 7 ka bp and lake sediments show evidence of eight periods with increased geomorphic activity in the catchments over the last 6 ka bp . Although present‐day climate conditions do not promote active solifluction processes in the Sierra Nevada, colder and wetter periods during the Holocene triggered solifluction and transported coarse‐grained sediments into the lakes. By contrast, warm phases favoured soil formation and spread an incipient vegetation cover over the headwaters of the highest valleys, diminishing the grain size of the particles reaching the lakes. Lake sediments record an aridification trend in the massif intensifying since 4·2 ka bp that has conditioned solifluction activity to shift gradually to higher elevations. During major cooler phases such as the Little Ice Age active solifluction was recorded back down to 2500 m altitude. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Water and nutrient fluxes in a cool temperate rainforest at the Cordillera de la Costa in southern Chile

Water and nutrient fluxes were studied during a 12-month period in an alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) forest, located in a remote site at the Cordillera de la Costa (40°05′S) in southern Chile. Measurements of precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, effective precipitation, soil infiltration and stream flow were carried out in an experimental, small watershed. Simultaneously, monthly water samples were collected to determine the concentrations and transport of organic-N, NO₃-N, total-P, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ in all levels of forest. Concentration of organic-N, NO₃-N, total-P and K⁺ showed a clear pattern of enrichment in the throughfall, stemflow, effective precipitation and soil infiltration. For Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, enrichment was observed in the effective precipitation, soil infiltration and stream flow. Annual transport of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ showed that the amounts exported from the forest via stream flow (K⁺=0·95, Na⁺=32·44, Ca²⁺=8·76 and Mg²⁺=7·16 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) are less than the inputs via precipitation (K⁺=6·39, Na⁺=40·99, Ca²⁺=15·13 and Mg²⁺=7·61 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The amounts of organic-N and NO₃-N exported via stream flow (organic-N=1·04 and No₃-N=3·06 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) were relatively small; however, they represented greater amounts than the inputs via precipitation (organic-N=0·74 and NO₃-N=0·97 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), because of the great contribution of this element in the superficial soil horizon, where the processes of decomposition of organic material, mineralization and immobilization of the nutrients occurs. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin and type of rainfall for recharge of a karstic aquifer in the western Mediterranean: a case study from the Sierra de Gador–Campo de Dalias (southeast Spain)

Isotope signatures in precipitation from the Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation around the Mediterranean basin and literature data are compared with isotopic data from a large karstic aquifer in southeast Spain to explain the origin and type of the precipitation events dominating recharge. Analysis of the deuterium excess d at the scale of the Mediterranean basin and at the regional scale allows us to understand the isotopic context of the study area: Campo de Dalias and the Sierra de Gador (Almería province). The origin of precipitation can be determined from its d value. The d value changes as a function of the initial evaporation condition. It depends on the relative humidity and temperature during the evaporation producing the water vapour of the clouds. The water vapour, which dominates the study area, is generated in two areas: the Atlantic Ocean (d = 10‰) and the western Mediterranean basin (d = 15‰). With increasing precipitation volume, the western Mediterranean character dominates. These heavier storms contribute mainly to recharge, as illustrated by the d value of 13·6‰ in deep groundwater of the Campo de Dalias. Weighted d values increase with the volume of precipitation, giving a significant relationship for the southern and eastern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula. This selectivity of d to monthly precipitation was used to estimate the return period of precipitation leading to aquifer recharge at 0·9–4·9 years. Moderate rainfall, which occurs more frequently, still represents ～60–90% of the total precipitation. One of the challenges to meet ever‐growing water demands is to increase recharge from moderate events yielding intermediate quantities per event, but forming the bulk of the annual precipitation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Establishment of a Non-Permanent GPS Network to Monitor the Recent NE-SW Deformation in the Granada Basin (Betic Cordillera,Southern Spain)

The Granada Basin (Central Betic Cordillera), one of the most seismically active areas of the Iberian Peninsula, is currently subjected to NW-SE compression and NE-SW extension. The present day extension is accommodated by normal faults with various orientations but particularly with a NW-SE strike. At the surface, these active NW-SE normal faults are mainly concentrated on the NE part of the Basin. In this part we have selected a 15-km long segment where several active normal faults crop out. Using the marine Tortonian rocks as a reference, we have calculated a minimum extensional rate of 0.15-0.30 mm/year. The observed block rotation, the listric geometry of faults at depth and the distribution of seismicity over the whole Basin, indicate that this rate is a minimum value. In the framework of an interdisciplinary research project a non-permanent GPS-network has been established in the central sector of Betic Cordillera to monitor the crustal deformations. The first two observation campaigns were done in 1999 and 2000.     

Main features of the deep structure by local earthquake tomography and active tectonics: case of Rif Mountain (morocco) and Betic Cordillera (Spain)

Within the Spain and Moroccan networks, a large volume of seismic data has been collected and used for investigating the lithosphere in the Betic–Rif Cordillera. The present study has two main goals: (1) Use the most actual seismological data from recent earthquakes in the Betic–Rif arc for investigating the lithosphere through the application of seismic local tomography techniques. (2) Define the possible structural blocks and explain the GPS velocities perturbation in this region. The resolution tests results indicate that the calculated images gave a close true structure for the studied regions from 5- to 60-km depth. The resulting tomographic image shows that the presence of two upper crust body (velocity 6.5 km/s) at 3- to 13-km depth between Iberian Betic and Moroccan Rif in the western and in the middle of Alboran Sea also shows the low velocity favoring the presence of melt in the base of these two bodies. The crustal bodies forms tectonic blocks in the Central Rif and in the Central Betic Cordillera.