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Tectonic Convergence At The Eurasian And African

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Plate tectonic convergence at a rate of about 4 mm/year between the Eurasian and African. Plates dominates the straits of Gibraltar (Argus et al., 1989). The stratigraphic evolution of the sediment drifts is therefore greatly influenced by both regional tectonics and ocean circulation (Medialdea et al., 2009; Lopes et al., 2006; Terrinha et al., 2009; Zitellini et al., 2009). Coring results from Expedition 339 showed that initial contourite formation started at about 4.5 to 4.2 Ma ago with more prominent formation of the contourite drifts taking place in the Quaternary (Expedition 339 Scientists, 2012). Today, circulation passing through the straits of Gibraltar is noticeable and identifiable by the exchange of warm and salty MOW with cool and less salty North Atlantic water flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The MOW has a temperature of about 12°C. The sill depth of the straits of Gibraltar known as the Camarinal Sill is about 280 m. The mixing of the MOW with the North Atlantic central water forms two water masses, one at 500 -700 m depth and the other at 800 -1400 m depth (Amber and Howe, 1979; Voelker et al., 2006; Stow et al., 2011; Voelker and de Abreu, 2011). The formation of these water masses leads to the emergence of strong bottom currents that flow northwestward along the margin above the North Atlantic Deep water and under the Atlantic Inflow Water. More importantly, the merging of these strong currents and the bathymetry of the Gulf of Cadiz has led to

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