The Phoenician settlement of Cerro del Villar (Málaga, southern Spain) and its natural vulnerability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Feist ◽  
Cristina Val-Peón ◽  
Margret Mathes-Schmidt ◽  
Lena Broer ◽  
Manuel Álvarez-Martí-Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Extreme Wave ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
First Results ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Sand Bar ◽  
Lagoon Environment

<p>Tsunamis and other extreme wave events draw a severe threat to coastal populations today and in historic times. The ancient settlement of <em>Cerro del Villar </em>located in present-day Málaga, southern Spain, was built by Phoenicians around the second quarter of the 8<sup>th</sup> century BCE on a small sand bar (island) in the wide estuary of the Guadalhorce River. Later, the sand bar connected to the southern river bank and alluvial plane. Due to the low height above mean sea level, the site has been prone to river floodings, as well as extreme wave events of the Mediterranean Sea. In order to understand the palaeoenvironmental evolution and settlement history, as well as its vulnerability, it is important to analyse the nature of the events by dating and interpretation of the sedimentary record.</p><p>Here, we present first results of a short field campaign carried out in October 2019 at the western end of the Guadalhorce River palaeo-estuary, outside the boundaries of the archaeological zone. Two sediment cores (MAL-CV-1; <em>ca.</em> 3.70 m length and MAL-CV-2, <em>ca.</em> 4.69 m) were drilled southwest of the Phoenician site. A total of eight non-invasive ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles were carried out in the surroundings of the cores, and additional GPR profiles close to the beach were taken to understand the changes in the depositional environment along the coast. The cores cover a stratigraphy of three different sediment units: a basal sand unit representing a palaeo-beach, followed by a large silt and clay unit developed in a lagoon environment, and topped by another silt and clay unit representing floodplain conditions. At MAL-CV-1 two possible high-energy event units (Ey and Ez) interrupt the low-energy silt and clay units. At MAL-CV-2 event unit Ey is preserved as well, the other event unit Ez is concealed by an anthropogenic unit rich in ceramic, brick and glass fragments. GPR profiles show the same stratigraphy and allow a lateral continuation of the different units and event deposits. With the help of these GPR profiles, event unit Ez can be traced in-between the anthropogenic unit of MAL-CV-2. In terms of chronology, two radiocarbon dates establish the transition between the basal palaeo-beach and the lagoon at 4352-4325 cal. BC (6274-6301 cal. BP) and the anthropogenic layer to be younger than 2201-2126 cal. BC (4075-4150 cal. BP). The establishment of coastal freshwater lagoons with plentiful Hydrobia gastropods and ostracods resembles the last stage of post-glacial sea level rise in the Mediterranean. In the future, these promising first results will be extended by additional radiocarbon dates and a palynological study to better understand the climate and palaeoenvironmental evolution.</p>

scholarly journals Late Quaternary Geology of the Canterbury Continental Terrace

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Richard Howard Herzer
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
High Energy ◽  
The South ◽  
Submarine Canyons ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Sea Bed ◽  
Quaternary Stratigraphy

<p>The Late Quaternary stratigraphy and sedimentary processes are interpreted for an area of continental shelf and slope on the eastern side of the South Island, New Zealand, between latitudes 43°00's and 44°50's. Two formations are recognised in the Late Quaternary stratigraphy of the shelf: the Canterbury Bight Formation of mainly Last Glacia1 age and, locally overlying it, the Pegasus Formation of mainly Holocene age. The formations are distinguished by shelf-wide unconformities (visib1e in seismic profiles), by geomorphology, by grain-size modes, and by macrofauna. Ridge-and-swa1e topography occurs on two scales on the shelf. Very large ridges and troughs are interpreted from microbathymetry, stratigraphy, sediments and macrofauna to be the remains of Pleistocene barrier/lagoon complexes. With the aid of radiocarbon dates, four well developed shorelines between 28,000 yr and 15,000 yr old are recognised. The smaller ridges are submarine features, formed by strong currents. Those ridges that are in a zone of constricted and accelerated currents near Banks Peninsula are active, while those well removed from the peninsula constriction are fossil and date from times of lower sea level. Sedimentation on the continental shelf has reached a state of equilibrium with the modern hydraulic regime. Relict sediments of the deglacial transgressive sand/gravel sheet are being reworked in zones of high energy, principally in the region of constricted flow around Banks Peninsula. Modern-input sand (distinguished by its grain-size mode) is restricted by currents mainly to an active belt near shore, but locally it has replaced palimpsest sand on the middle shelf. The modern mud facies, being confined by zones of higher energy, has reached its maximum areal extent; its greatest thickness is in Pegasus Bay. Sea-bed drifter studies, and studies of sediment texture and provenance show that net sediment movement on the shelf and along shore during both Pleistocene and modern times has been northwards. The continental slope is dissected by submarine slide scars in the south and by submarine canyons in the north. Streams of fine sand, transported from the continental shelf to the upper slope by north-flowing currents during Pleistocene lowered sea levels, initiated the erosion of submarine canyons. Interception of littoral-drifted gravel by established canyons reaching Pleistocene strand lines probably accelerated. canyon erosion. The canyons are thought to be now effectively dormant. Deposition of fine sediment from suspension has dominated the development of the southern slope. This slope is consequently free of deeply corrasional features like submarine canyons but is prone to failure by gravity sliding. The youngest slides are less than 18,000 yr old. The history of growth of Pegasus Submarine Canyon is investigated in detail. The course of the canyon across the shelf is not fault controlled. As well as growing landwards, the canyon and its tributaries have, during Pleistocene sea level stillstands, grown southwards along shore towards the supply of littoral drifted gravel and sand. A buried tributary, of Penultimate Glacial age or older, on the canyon's west side, once brought the canyon 7 km closer to the present shore. The relative ages of the south-trending arms of the canyon are inferred from their relationship to known Last Glacial shorelines that are preserved on the shelf, and by their position with respect to a regional subsurface unconformity of Penultimate Glacial age. Canyon erosion was concentrated in the largest arm during the last deglacial rise of sea level, and shallow channels, interpreted as feeders are common around its rim.</p>

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of late Quaternary foraminifera and molluscs from the ENEA borehole (Versilian plain, Tuscany, Italy)

2010 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gabriella Carboni ◽  
Luisa Bergamin ◽  
Letizia Di Bella ◽  
Daniela Esu ◽  
Emanuela Pisegna Cerone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Radiocarbon Data ◽  
Palaeoecological Reconstruction ◽  
Lagoon Environment

AbstractForaminifera and molluscs from the 90 m deep ENEA borehole (Versilian plain, central Italy) were studied for paleoenvironmental purposes. Palaeontological analyses, integrated with U/Th and radiocarbon data, helped to recognize late Quaternary sea-level changes and supplied results on tectonic mobility of the area. The study highlighted four sedimentary phases. The first phase consists of a shore environment attributed to MIS 7.1. A hiatus corresponding to MIS 6 is hypothesized at the top of this interval. Recognition of the paleo-shoreline of MIS 7.1 at − 72.8 m signifies a vertical displacement due to the extensional tectonics of the Apennine orogenesis. The second phase consists of a transgressive succession with evidence of warm temperatures, which was interpreted as part of the transgression leading to the MIS 5.5 highstand. The third phase includes sub-aerial and lacustrine deposits. Radiocarbon dates and palaeoecological reconstruction led us to attribute this interval to MIS 4, MIS 3 and MIS 2. The fourth phase begins with a lagoon environment attributable to Holocene sea-level rise and ends with marsh episodes, signifying the progradation of the alluvial plain. This reconstruction confirms the hypothesis of tectonic stability for the Versilian area during the Holocene.

scholarly journals Late Quaternary Geology of the Canterbury Continental Terrace

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Richard Howard Herzer
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
High Energy ◽  
The South ◽  
Submarine Canyons ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Sea Bed ◽  
Quaternary Stratigraphy

<p>The Late Quaternary stratigraphy and sedimentary processes are interpreted for an area of continental shelf and slope on the eastern side of the South Island, New Zealand, between latitudes 43°00's and 44°50's. Two formations are recognised in the Late Quaternary stratigraphy of the shelf: the Canterbury Bight Formation of mainly Last Glacia1 age and, locally overlying it, the Pegasus Formation of mainly Holocene age. The formations are distinguished by shelf-wide unconformities (visib1e in seismic profiles), by geomorphology, by grain-size modes, and by macrofauna. Ridge-and-swa1e topography occurs on two scales on the shelf. Very large ridges and troughs are interpreted from microbathymetry, stratigraphy, sediments and macrofauna to be the remains of Pleistocene barrier/lagoon complexes. With the aid of radiocarbon dates, four well developed shorelines between 28,000 yr and 15,000 yr old are recognised. The smaller ridges are submarine features, formed by strong currents. Those ridges that are in a zone of constricted and accelerated currents near Banks Peninsula are active, while those well removed from the peninsula constriction are fossil and date from times of lower sea level. Sedimentation on the continental shelf has reached a state of equilibrium with the modern hydraulic regime. Relict sediments of the deglacial transgressive sand/gravel sheet are being reworked in zones of high energy, principally in the region of constricted flow around Banks Peninsula. Modern-input sand (distinguished by its grain-size mode) is restricted by currents mainly to an active belt near shore, but locally it has replaced palimpsest sand on the middle shelf. The modern mud facies, being confined by zones of higher energy, has reached its maximum areal extent; its greatest thickness is in Pegasus Bay. Sea-bed drifter studies, and studies of sediment texture and provenance show that net sediment movement on the shelf and along shore during both Pleistocene and modern times has been northwards. The continental slope is dissected by submarine slide scars in the south and by submarine canyons in the north. Streams of fine sand, transported from the continental shelf to the upper slope by north-flowing currents during Pleistocene lowered sea levels, initiated the erosion of submarine canyons. Interception of littoral-drifted gravel by established canyons reaching Pleistocene strand lines probably accelerated. canyon erosion. The canyons are thought to be now effectively dormant. Deposition of fine sediment from suspension has dominated the development of the southern slope. This slope is consequently free of deeply corrasional features like submarine canyons but is prone to failure by gravity sliding. The youngest slides are less than 18,000 yr old. The history of growth of Pegasus Submarine Canyon is investigated in detail. The course of the canyon across the shelf is not fault controlled. As well as growing landwards, the canyon and its tributaries have, during Pleistocene sea level stillstands, grown southwards along shore towards the supply of littoral drifted gravel and sand. A buried tributary, of Penultimate Glacial age or older, on the canyon's west side, once brought the canyon 7 km closer to the present shore. The relative ages of the south-trending arms of the canyon are inferred from their relationship to known Last Glacial shorelines that are preserved on the shelf, and by their position with respect to a regional subsurface unconformity of Penultimate Glacial age. Canyon erosion was concentrated in the largest arm during the last deglacial rise of sea level, and shallow channels, interpreted as feeders are common around its rim.</p>

scholarly journals Nysius cymoides (Spinola) on Chenopodium quinoa Willd. cultivated in Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bocchi ◽  
D. Cinquanta ◽  
M. Negri ◽  
P. Dioli ◽  
L. Limonta
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
European Market ◽  
Alpine Meadows ◽  
The Mediterranean

Quinoa (<em>Chenopodium quinoa</em> Willd.) (Family: Amaranthaceae – APG classification) is an Andean grain recently introduced on the European market and cultivated in experimental fields. In one of these experimental fields, in San Giorgio Piacentino (Italy), a heavy bug infestation was observed. The species was identified as <em>Nysius</em> <em>cymoides</em> (Spinola) (Heteroptera Lygaeidae), a polyphagous species known as a pest of different crops. It occurs in the Mediterranean area from the sea level to the alpine meadows.

First results of SRC’s new high‐energy resolution variable line density grating monochromator beamline: HERMON

1995 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 2072-2074 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bissen ◽  
M. Fisher ◽  
G. Rogers ◽  
D. Eisert ◽  
K. Kleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Resolution ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Resolution ◽  
Line Density ◽  
Variable Line ◽  
First Results ◽  
Grating Monochromator

A Near-Uniform Basin-Wide Sea Level Fluctuation of the Mediterranean Sea

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichiro Fukumori ◽  
Dimitris Menemenlis ◽  
Tong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Level Fluctuation ◽  
Strait Of Gibraltar ◽  
Sea Level Fluctuation ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract A new basin-wide oscillation of the Mediterranean Sea is identified and analyzed using sea level observations from the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon satellite altimeter and a numerical ocean circulation model. More than 50% of the large-scale, nontidal, and non-pressure-driven variance of sea level can be attributed to this oscillation, which is nearly uniform in phase and amplitude across the entire basin. The oscillation has periods ranging from 10 days to several years and has a magnitude as large as 10 cm. The model suggests that the fluctuations are driven by winds at the Strait of Gibraltar and its neighboring region, including the Alboran Sea and a part of the Atlantic Ocean immediately to the west of the strait. Winds in this region force a net mass flux through the Strait of Gibraltar to which the Mediterranean Sea adjusts almost uniformly across its entire basin with depth-independent pressure perturbations. The wind-driven response can be explained in part by wind setup; a near-stationary balance is established between the along-strait wind in this forcing region and the sea level difference between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The amplitude of this basin-wide wind-driven sea level fluctuation is inversely proportional to the setup region’s depth but is insensitive to its width including that of Gibraltar Strait. The wind-driven fluctuation is coherent with atmospheric pressure over the basin and contributes to the apparent deviation of the Mediterranean Sea from an inverse barometer response.

WALIS - Towards a global database of Last Interglacial sea-level proxies.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Rovere ◽  
Deirdre Ryan ◽  
Matteo Vacchi ◽  
Alexander Simms ◽  
Andrea Dutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Geological Data ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Global Database ◽  
The World ◽  
First Results ◽  
Data Points ◽  
The Subject

&lt;p&gt;The standardization of geological data, and their compilation into geodatabases, is essential to allow more coherent regional and global analyses. In sea-level studies, the compilation of databases containing details on geological paleo sea-level proxies has been the subject of decades of work. This was largely spearheaded by the community working on Holocene timescales. While several attempts were also made to compile data from older interglacials, a truly comprehensive approach was missing. Here, we present the ongoing efforts directed to create the World Atlas of Last Interglacial Shorelines (WALIS), a project spearheaded by the PALSEA (PAGES/INQUA) community and funded by the European Research Council (ERC StG 802414). The project aims at building a sea-level database centered on the Last Interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 5e, 125 ka), a period of time considered as an &quot;imperfect analog&quot; for a future warmer climate. The database is composed of 17 tables embedded into a mySQL framework with a total of more than 500 single fields to describe several properties related to paleo sea-level proxies, dated samples and metadata. In this presentation, we will show the first results of the global compilation, which includes nearly 2000 data points and will discuss its relevance in answering some of the most pressing questions related to sea-level changes in past warmer worlds.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Holocene sea level and climate interactions on wet dune slack evolution in SW Portugal: A model for future scenarios?

The Holocene ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manel Leira ◽  
Maria C Freitas ◽  
Tania Ferreira ◽  
Anabela Cruces ◽  
Simon Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Sediment Accumulation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Dune Slack ◽  
Ecological Stability ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Climate Interactions

We examine the Holocene environmental changes in a wet dune slack of the Portuguese coast, Poço do Barbarroxa de Baixo. Lithology, organic matter, biological proxies and high-resolution chronology provide estimations of sediment accumulation rates and changes in environmental conditions in relation to sea-level change and climate variability during the Holocene. Results show that the wet dune slack was formed 7.5 cal. ka BP, contemporaneous with the last stages of the rapid sea-level rise. This depositional environment formed under frequent freshwater flooding and water ponding that allowed the development and post-mortem accumulation of abundant plant remains. The wetland evolved into mostly palustrine conditions over the next 2000 years, until a phase of stabilization in relative sea-level rise, when sedimentation rates slowed down to 0.04 mm yr−1, between 5.3 and 2.5 cal. ka BP. Later, about 0.8 cal. ka BP, high-energy events, likely due to enhanced storminess and more frequent onshore winds, caused the collapse of the foredune above the wetlands’ seaward margin. The delicate balance between hydrology (controlled by sea-level rise and climate change), sediment supply and storminess modulates the habitat’s resilience and ecological stability. This underpins the relevance of integrating past records in coastal wet dune slacks management in a scenario of constant adaptation processes.

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