iMIRABILIS-2_LEG0 Cruise, RV Sarmiento de Gamboa

• Main Authors: Madureira, Pedro, CSIC - Unidad de Tecnología Marina (UTM)
• Other Authors: Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Marine Technology Unit, Spanish Institute of Oceanography https://ror.org/00f3x4340, Marine Technology Unit https://ror.org/042j94f44
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Oceanographic geographical features; Vigo; Las Palmas; Spain; Sarmiento de Gamboa; research vessel; North Atlantic Ocean; Atlantic Ocean; 145; 146; 110; 74; Air temperature; Wind speed and direction; Atmospheric humidity; Solar Radiation; Air pressure; Date and time; Temperature of the water column; Sarmiento; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/339580; https://doi.org/10.20351/29SG20210723

Oceanographic data acquired during the iMIRABILIS-2_LEG0 Cruise (29SG20210723) on board the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2021. Leg 0 of cruise iMIRABILIS-2 will focus on the collection of multibeam bathymetry and geological and biological data on the north part of the Azores-Biscaya Rise (ABR). This area is part of a roughly linear north-east-south-west trending feature, with approximately 700 km long, rising up to 3,000 m above the surrounding seafloor (e.g. Whitmarsh et al., 1982). Very few studies have focused on the ABR and data on this geomorphological feature is still scarce notwithstanding its importance during the opening and evolution of the North Atlantic basin during the last 75 Myr, which was also influenced by the Azores hotspot. During the ROV dives it is expected to observe and collect submarine volcanic rocks in order to characterize the geological environment at this location and to study the mantle components along with the magmatic processes that sourced the volcanism and created this major geological structure. The bathymetric highs and seamounts occurring in the North Atlantic also constitute hotspots of biodiversity, hostingdeep water coral reefs and deep sea sponges forming complex habitats that are also considered to be vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). The collection of environmental baseline data on these areas is paramount not only to explore remote areas with scarce data but also for the development of a coherent multidisciplinary approach focused on the adoption of effective measures for protection and conservation of the marine environment.