ANNUAL REPORT for 2005
IGCP Spanish National Committee
1. Spanish National Committee
2. IGCP projects in which Spanish Working Groups have participated
3. National Committee activities
4. Forthcoming events available in connection with the Programme
5. Finantial support received for the activities of this National Committee, and given to IGCP projects and their activities
Prof. Dr. Marcos A. Lamolda (Chairman); Facultad de Ciencias-UPV; Apartado 644; E-48080 Bilbao; Spain
Tel. 34 946012608. Fax no. 34 946013500. E-mail: <gpplapam@lg.ehu.es>, <mlamolda@ugr.es>
Members: Dr. V. Gabaldón and Dr. L. R. Rodríguez (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España-IGME); Dr. B. Andreo (513); Dr. E. Díaz (471); Dr. P. Domínguez (503); Mr. J. A. Gámez (493); Dr. M. García Fernández (455); Dr. A. Márquez (458 & 467); Dr. R. Mediavilla (CEICAG); Mr. C. Quesada (453); Dr. R. Sáez (502); Dr. J. I. Valenzuela (499); Prof. Dr. F. Vilas (464); Prof. Dr. C. Zazo (495).
Dr. M. García (project 455) and Dr. F. Vilas (project 464), left the committee once their projects are finishing in 2005.
2. IGCP projects in which Spanish Working Groups have participated
a) Project with Spaniard project co-leader
Project no. 455: ' Basement Volcanoes Interplay and Human Activities'
Dr. Mariano García Fernández; Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra Jaume Almera, CSIC; Solé i Sabaris s/n; 08028 Barcelona
Spaniard co-leader: Dr. Mariano García
Abstract
The UNESCO/IUGS/IGCP project 455 (2001-2005) is intended to contribute to the comprehension of volcano behaviour in different geodynamic settings from a poorly known perspective: the reciprocal influence exerted by volcanoes on their substrate and by the basement on the volcanoes. The main task is to assess the role of this influence in determining natural geological hazards such as eruptions, landslides and earthquakes. The geologic-tectonic control of the substrate on the volcanoes has been usually considered questionable or less important than the conditions of the deep magma source, whereas the control of volcanoes on their basement has even received very little attention. This project improves the comprehension of these phenomena by a strong interdisciplinary approach that ties data on the various geological conditions and heritages of the basement with the deformation processes and geological evolution of different volcanic edifices. Sharing information among the various international groups of involved researchers and interdisciplinary cooperation provide a large amount of base data. We compiled stratigraphic, structural, geomorphological, geophysical, geotechnical, petrographic, geochemical and geochronological data. These data have been transferred to the laboratory-working groups, thus providing realistic numerical and physical simulation even of complex geological structures. A database with all the original data of each studied volcano is under preparation and will be made available on the web. The results of the study of each volcano will be very useful in preparing natural hazards scenarios. Moreover, the database represents a very important source of information in performing realistic models of other similar volcanoes. Such knowledge can be useful for mitigating natural disasters for Civil Defence and for the exploration of geothermal energy, and mineral and water resources.
Project no. 513: ' Karst Aquifers and Water Resources'
Dr. Bartolomé Andreo Navarro; Depto. de Ecología y Geología; Facultad de Ciencias; Campus de Teatinos s/n; E-29071 Málaga
Spaniard co-leader: Dr. Bartolomé Andreo
Abstract
During the year 2005 the Spanish Working Group of the Project 513 (GTE-513) has been formed and members of this group have partipated in two national and international meetings, all related with the karst topics. The GTE-513 is formed by 31 spanish researchers of universities and/or research centers, all dedicated to karst. One of the line of research is the characterization of karstic aquifers by theirs natural functioning (outflows, hydrochemistry, hydrotemperature, isotopes) because they provide information on the karstification, residence time of groundwater and the volume of recharge and storage water. Within the frame of the GTE 513 another interesting aspect is the relation between the mining activities and karstic hydrogeology, involving aspects as hydrochemistry, hydrogeology, underground arqueological and mining heritage, etc. In the S and E of Spain the karstic aquifers exploited for urban and agriculture supply are also on research. Important results have been reached on the vulnerability and risk assessesment of carbonated aquifers to contamination. These results take into account the properties of the aquifers for the groundwater protection but also the water extraction and the dependency of an area to groundwater. Research in caves and karstic colapses are another developing line of research. In several caves in Spain (Nerja, Altamira, Tito Bustillo, Pindal, Busot) studies on the present underground climate and its variation in the past by geochemical proxy records of speleothems are in progress. Besides the scientific importance of the caves, they constitute very atractive turistic places but also an important economical activity.
b) Projects with active working groups
Project no. 458: 'Triassic/Jurassic Boundary Events'
Project no. 467: 'Triassic Time and Trans-Panthalassan Correlations'
Dr. Ana Márquez; Depto. de Geología; Facultad de Biología, Univ. de Valencia;C/ Dr. Molines, 50; E-46100 Burjasot
Abstract
During 2005 researches of the Spanish Working Group IGCP projects no. 458 and 467 have been engaged on several topics, which are directly related to the different working areas of the Triassic basins in the Iberian Peninsula (Iberian Chains, Betic Chains, Catalonian Coastal Ranges, Pyrenean Basin and Basque-Cantabrian Region). All these areas have been studied from palaeontological and stratigraphical viewpoints, with major focus on the Permian/Triassic boundary, marine and continental Triassic facies-type and the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. Regarding this point, main efforts have been devoted to fieldwork, as it is an essential basis for solving the biostratigraphical problems previously identified. In attaining this task, it is necessary to make progress in the knowledge of the different taxonomic groups mainly Mollusca and Conodonts that have to be analysed within their biostratigraphical, taphonomic and paleobiological context. This analysis will help to characterize the model, as well as the processes, that occurred around the Permian/Triassic extinction event, the biotic Triassic recovery and Triassic/Jurassic biotic crisis. All this topics are actually in big discussion.
Commissioned by the Geological Society of Spain (Spanish Group of the Mesozoic Era and the Spanish Group of Sedimentology) the SWG 458 and 467 coordinator with some of their members, in collaboration with the Department of Geology of the University of Valencia (UVEG), the Department of Earth Sciences and the Environment of the University of Alicante (UA) and Palaeontological Museum of Elche (MUPE), have assumed the joint responsibility of organising the "XVth National Conference on Sedimentology, IVth Colloquium on Stratigraphy and Palaeography of the Permian and Triassic Systems in Spain and Workshop PICG 458 and 467". Elche (Alicante) from 11 to 14 September 2005.
The proceedings have been published in Geotemas and the two field excursions guide in Cidaris. Future papers in relation with this Workshop PICG 458 and 467 will be published in the Journal of Iberian Geology. The organization and celebration of this Research-Meeting was part of our task during 2005.
Project no. 464: 'Continental Shelves during the Last Glacial Cycle: Knowledge and Applications'
Prof. Federico Vilas; Depto. de Geociencias Marinas; Facultad de Ciencias; Apartado 874; E-36200 Vigo
Abstract
The project will focus on continental shelves during the last glacial cycle and will carry out comparisons around the world and establish workshops. The project will also address understanding of the geometry and palaeogeography of shelves, of palaeoclimate investigation of the imprint of higher frequency climatic events on continental shelves; application of seismic methods to identify the palaeomorphology of shelf deposits and the testing of sequence stratigraphic methods/models from ancient materials to younger sediments. Data acquisition by surveying and mapping will result in a ‘world map’ of the extent and character of continental shelf sediments (particularly at 20 ka BP). A synthesis of the results will be published during all the project, which will provide: (1) an understanding of the various styles of relict and modern continental shelf, (2) an estimate of the carbon budgets and storage of carbon at the Last Glacial Maximum that will be compared to modern shelves, and (3) an aid in economic and resource development of coastal zones. Among the societal benefits are: training of participants from less developed countries; studies of the resource assessment and genesis of shallow marine placer deposits and sand.
Project no. 471: 'Evolution of Western Gondwana during the Late Palaeozoic'
Dr. Enrique Díaz Martínez; Instituto Geológico y Minero de España; c/ Calera, 1; 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid)
Abstract
IGCP project 471 attempts to improve knowledge on the evolution of South America, Africa and Antarctica as part of the supercontinent Gondwana during the Late Paleozoic. The main focus of the project is on glaciations, sedimentary record of sea level and climate changes, biostratigraphy towards regional correlations, palaeogeographic reconstructions, and tectonic evolution of orogenic belts. The Spanish Working Group of IGCP project 471 became officially functional in 2005, somewhat late from the beginning of the project (2001), although researchers were already independantly working on the subject. The group includes a total of ten researchers from Spanish universities (Barcelona, Madrid, León and Oviedo) and the Geological Survey. The results of the research have been presented at scientific meetings and published in journals and conference volumes during 2005 (see references). Following is a brief summary of the main results obtained by this group regarding the project's topics:
- The sedimentary record shows strong relations with eustatic and climatic changes in the Late Palaeozoic of Argentina and Bolivia. We have identified the first carbonate microbialite sequences with thrombolite and stromatolite facies in the Late carboniferous of Argentina, and have analysed Carboniferous and Permian litho- and biostratigraphy of Bolivia confirming the arrival of South America at tropical latitudes beginning in the mid Carboniferous and until now. Our studies in Peru identified new evidence for the main Late Palaeozoic glaciation in Gondwana, which is Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous in northern South America and Africa, concluding on its correlation and equivalence with the Bolivian record, and providing a synthesis on late Devonian glaciation in South America and its relation with other coeval global events.
- Regional palaeogeographic maps of the main Carboniferous basins in South America allowed to identify incongruence regarding the ages assigned to the different taxonomic groups. We proposed a critical revision of the biostratigraphic scheme used for regional correlations. New palynologicaal data allowed to reassess the Silurian-early Devonian age previously assigned to the carbonate microbialites of the Cordillera Frontal in Argentina, and which must be considered as recycled from older units, because the assemblage found corresponds to a palynozone known for the Late Carboniferous of the region.
- Detailed studies allowed to identify an east-vergent thrust belt in the Cordillera Frontal of Argentina, magmatism and metamorphism in northern Patagonia, and a retroarc foreland basin with volcanic influence ni the Antarctic Peninsula. The deformational style of the orogens changed along the margin of western Gondwana durnig the Late Palaeozoic.
The results obtained by the Spanish Working Group for project 471 help better understand the evolution of climates (climate changes, causes, duration, areas affected, etc.), life (floral migrations, extinctions, first appearance of new taxa, etc.), and Earth (continent dispersal and latitudinal shift, palaeogeography, etc.).
Project no. 493: 'The Rise and Fall of the Vendian Biota'
José A. Gámez Vintaned; Museo Paleontológico; Edificio de Geológicas; c/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12; 50009 Zaragoza
Abstract
This project, which is intimately linked with IGCP 478, is particularly interested in investigating the precise timing of Proterozoic events, the effects that these changing environments, climates, global chemistry and palaeogeography had on the development and diversification of animals which culminated in the spectacular Vendian/Ediacaran faunas, best represented along the Winter Coast of the White Sea in Russia and in the Flinders Range of South Australia.
This project aims to locate additional material from areas with a sparse Vendian biotic record (South America in particular), but with marked palaeobiogeographic interest, to closely compare their settings (sedimentology, carbon and oxygen isotope signatures, palaeogeographic positions) with those of the best known Vendian biotas. This project aims to allow the proposers and associates to gain further experience (and to involve students in this interaction) with those less biodiverse Vendian assemblages in Namibia, as well as classic sites in the Ukraine, Siberia, the Urals, Newfoundland, etc., and with other older assemblages such as those in the Bangamall Basin of Western Australia and the Western United States, where some of the oldest probable records of multicellular organisms have been reported, thus stimulating further discussion and joint research. In doing so, the proposers wish to markedly increase the amount of material from some of the lesser known localities and to refine the dating of all of them.
Parallel to our investigations concerning the megascopic multicellular biota, the work of several associates of this proposal will be investigating the geochemistry of the sediments for clues to changing climate and ocean chemistry and the involvement of microfauna in the deposition of major ore bodies of mid to late Proterozoic age.
Project no. 495: 'Quaternary Land-Ocean Interactions'
Prof. Caridad Zazo; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2; E-28006 Madrid
Abstract
During 2005, the Spanish Working Group of this Project have been involved in Nacional and Internacional Meetings organization. They have also acted as Leaders of several Field Trips from which guide books have originated.
The increase of the use of different dating techniques (U-series, cosmogenic nuclides, Luminescence, C-14, 210Pb, 137Cs) is allowing that processes-forms sequences can be set up in an accurate chronological scale. Regional data regarding sea-level and climate changes within a Global/North Atlantic scale have been of special interest because of the particular Iberia its geographical location in relation to the rapid and brusque changes.
Research of current littoral dynamics, is a very important topic related to coastal Risks/Hazards. We now have available information from Canary, Catalonia, and Gulf of Cadiz coasts.
All of this research has made possible for some of WG members to participate in the “1st Report on Climate Change Impact in Spain” published by the Environmental Ministry.
Project no. 499: 'Evolution of Ecosystems and Climate in the Devonian'
Dr. José I. Valenzuela; Depto. de Geología; Facultad de Biología, Univ. de Valencia; C/ Dr. Moliner, 50; E-46100 Burjasot
Abstract
During 2005 the Spanish members participating in the IGCP 499 have focused their research in four large areas of the Devonian of Spain, Sierra Morena, The Cantabrian Cordillera, The Pyrenees and The Iberian Chains. Some of these works have been partially founded by a few National Research Projects (MEC-CICYT). By writing an extended abstract and presenting a poster the GTE has actively contributed to the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the IGCP Spanish National Committee. The group hold its annual meeting in conjunction with the Spanish Palaeontological Society Meeting, where a special IGCP symposium with seven oral presentations was organised. Three members of the Spanish working group attended the International IGCP project 499 Meeting hold in Novosibirsk; at this meeting four oral presentations and one poster were given; at the same time the Spanish leader reported both, past and planned activities of the Spanish group, resulting that the Spanish group is one of the more actives one. One Ph. D. Thesis related to the IGCP was finished during 2005.
c) Other IGCP project in which Spaniard scientifics participated
Project no. 522: 'Dawn of the Danian'
Prof. Marcos A. Lamolda; Facultad de Ciencias-UPV ; Apartado 644; 48080 Bilbao
Abstract
This is not a formal working group, but several Spaniards interested in topics of this IGCP project keep contact with it, as their current researches are related to the Cretaceous / Tertiary Boundary transition in southwestern Europe. Main aims of the project are the Danian interval (Early Palaeocene Epoch, 65-61 Ma) of the Tertiary Period immediately followed the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary mass extinction event (65 Ma), one of the greatest crises throughout the entire Phanerozoic that saw the global extermination of scores of terrestrial and marine animals and plants.
3. National Committee activities
The Spanish National Committee (SNC) had two meetings during 2005. The first meeting was held at Madrid on April 15th, Spanish National Commission UNESCO headquarters with Prof. M. A. Lamolda in the chair. This meeting was attended by 11 participants, who were welcome by the General Secretary of the Comisión Nacional Española de Cooperación con la UNESCO, D. Pablo Barrios Almanzor. The Secretary General announced to this committee (SNC, IGCP) his concern on the actual situation of the commission, although he expect it will be better along the year. The Director General of the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME) and Chaiman of the Comisión Nacional de Geología (CNG), Dr. José Pedro Calvo Sorando, attended the meeting, gave us his support, and announced that the Spanish National Committee, IGCP, is a Scientific Sub-commission of the CNG, since January 31st 2005. This is a very important point as actually this committee has a formal status in the organization of the Spanish representative of the IUGS.
The committee reviewed the projects newly adopted by the IGCP Scientific Board during its last session in early February 2005 at Paris. Four proposals were provisionaly approuved: project no. 471 "Evolution of Western Gondwana during the Late Palaeozoic", project no. 493 "The Rise and Fall of the Vendian Biota", project no. 513 "Karst Aquifers and Water Resources", and project no. 522 "Dawn of the Danian".
A second meeting was held at Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, during 30th Anniversary of the Spanish National Committee, IGCP, on September 23rd 2005, granted by the town council. A proposal for a new working group was provisionaly approuved: project no. 503 " Ordovician Palaeogeography and Palaeoclimate ".
On September 22 – 24 was held the Symposium "Geociencias, recursos geológicos y patrimonio", as a contribution to the 30th Anniversary of Spanish National Committee. Six invited talks and 18 poster contributions where exposed and discussed. Its contents have been published as a monography in the series 'Geologia y Geofísica', Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, its full reference:
M. A. Lamolda (ed.) 2005. Geociencias, recursos y patrimonio geológicos. Geología y Geofísica, 3, 210 pp. IGME. Madrid.
(a copy of this monograph was mailed to the IGCP Secretariat).
The meeting was attended by 40 participants. A public conference titled: Europa se mueve: terremotos, pronóstico y prevención, was given on September 22nd in the late afternoon. Participants enjoyed two field-trips on September 24th, during the morning in the Barranco del Gredero both the K/T boundary and Paleocene/Eocene boundary sections were visited. In the afternoon were visited several archaeological localities nearby Caravaca, a classical pass betwen eastern and southern Spain before Roman Empire times.
This year there are a total of 12 working groups, but only 10 are active, according to reports received by this chairmanship. At the end of the year, two SWG left the committee once their projects are finishing in 2005 (projects no. 455 and 464).
As results of working group activities, six monographies have been published:
* Bioevents: their stratigraphical records, patterns and causes (Marcos A. Lamolda, Florentin J-M. R. Maurrasse & Christopher R. C. Paul, eds.). Journal of Iberian Geology, 31(1), 191 pp. 2005.
* Paleobiotic Changes in Earth History and their Causes (Marcos A. Lamolda, Florentin .J-M.R. Maurrasse and Christopher .R.C. Paul, eds.). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatolory, Palaeoecology, 224 (1-3), 310 pp. 2005.
* XV Congreso Nacional de Sedimentología y IV Coloquio de Estratigrafía y Paleogeografía del Pérmico y Triásico de España (Jesús Caracuel Martín, Ferran Colombo Piñol, Ana Márquez Arriaga y Jesús M. Soria Mingorance, eds.). Geotemas 8, 266 pp. 2005.
* Field-trip A-4. Geomorphology of South Atlantic Spanish Coasts (J. Gracia, coord.). VI International Conference on Geomorphology. Zaragoza. 2005.
* Field-trip A-7. Mallorca Island. Geomorphological evolution and Neotectonics. (T. Bardají, A. Cabero, J. Fornos, J.L. Goy and C. Zazo). VI International Conference on Geomorphology. Zaragoza. 2005.
* VIª Reunión del Cuaternario Ibérico. "Cuaternario Mediterráneo y Poblamiento de Homínidos" (J. Rodríguez Vidal, C. Finlayson y G. Pacheco, eds.). Gibraltar. 2005.
The Spanish Working Group (SWG) of IGCP project no. 455 participated in the international annual meeting project at Quezon, Philippines, in Noverber 2005.
The SWG of IGCP project no. 458 and 467 had its annual meeting at Elche (Alicante), September 2005, during the IV Colloquium on Stratigraphy and Palaeogeography of the Permian and Triassic Systems.
The SWG of IGCP project no. 464 had its annual meeting during the VIII Gas International Congress, at Vigo (Pontevedra), September 2005.
The SWG of the IGCP project no. 471 had its first meeting on September 12, 2005, in the Faculty of Geology, University of Barcelona. Furthermore there had a participation in several international meetings contributing with results about their research in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
The SWG of the IGCP project no. 493 has its first meeting on October 7th during the XXI Jornadas de Paleontología, Sevilla, annual meeting of the Spanish Paleontological Society, where they organiser a Symposium with the topic of the project.
The SWG of IGCP project no. 495 has participated in several meeting. They organised two field-trips during the 6th International Conference on Geomorphology, held at Zaragoza, and the VI Meeting of the Iberian Quaternary at Gibraltar, both on September, 2005.
The SWG of the project 497 has its annual meeting during an international conference on Isotopes and Global Tectonic, March 2005.
The SWG of IGCP project no. 499 had its annual meeting on October 5th 2005, at Sevilla during the XXIª Jornadas de Paleontología, presenting 7 contributions. Members of SWG attended the International meeting of the project, held at Novosivirk (Siberia, Rusia), from late August to September 10th.
The SWG of IGCP project no. 502 has attended several international meeting of interest to its topic, e.g., a joint meeting of IGCP projects no. 450 and 502 in SW Africa in early Autumm.
The SWG of the IGCP project no. 503 has its first meeting on October 7th at Sevilla during the XXIª Jornadas de Paleontología. It attended the international annual meeting of the project with a contribution.
The SWG of the IGCP project no. 513 has its first meeting on June 1st at Sevilla, during the VI Symposium Internation on Water in Andalusia. Furthermore they have participated in several international and Spanish meetings.
The representative of the Comité Español de Investigación en el Cambio Climático (CEICAG) reported on main activities of the committee.
4. Forthcoming events available in connection with the Programme
* The Spanish Working Group IGCP project no. 467 annual meeting will be held during the XXII Jornadas de Paleontología at León, September 2006. A special session will be organized by the SWG with topic of this project.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 471annual meeting will be held during the 41st Scientific Session, Spanish Geological Society, November 2006.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 493 annual meeting will be held at Cordoba, with contributions and a field-trip to neoproterozoic localities nearby that town, Spring 2006.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 495 annual meeting will be held during the 9th National Meeting on Geomorphology, Santiago de Compostela, September 2006.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 499 will held its annual meeting in León, September 2006, during the XXIIª Jornadas de Paleontología. A special session will be organized by the SWG with topic of this project.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 502 annual meeting will be held during a field-trip in the Catalan Coastal Ranges. Autum 2006.
* The SWG of IGCP project no. 513 will attend the International Conference on Water in the Mediterranean Countries, Málaga April, 2006.
Spanish National Committee
* Annual Meeting with emphasis on Geological Heritage. Teruel, Spring 2006.
5. Finantial support received for the activities of this National Committee, and given to IGCP projects and their activities
Meetings and activities have been sponsored and financed by the Spanish National Commission UNESCO,and the Geological National Commission (Spanish Geological Survey). In total they granted to this committee the amount of 12135 euro, for the following actions:
- Spanish National Committe two meetings, at Madrid, April, and Caravaca, September.
- Meeting of the Chairman of this committee with the Secretario General, Comisión Española UNESCO y Director General del IGME (Geological Survey of Spain).
- Spanish Working Group meeting, proyect no. 458/467, IV Colloquium on Stratigraphy and Palaeogeography of the Permian and Triassic Systems at Elche.
- A representative of the Spanish Working Group, project no. 499 in the international meeting of this project at Nobosibirk.
- Two representatives of the Spanish Working Group, proyect no. 495, participation in the VI Meeting of the Iberian Quaternary at Gibraltar.
- Attendance of the Chairman of the committee to the annual meetings of the SWG IGCP projects no. 458/467, 493 and 503.
- 30th Anniversary of the Spanish National Committee at Caravaca.
- Sixty reprints of contributions presented at the XXI Jornadas de Paleontología, Sevilla, projects no. 493, 499 and 503.
- Spanish National Committee, IGCP, "Boletín Informativo" no. 29. April 2005.
The Municipal Council of Caravaca de la Cruz, granted 5000 euro as partial financement of the 30th Anniversary of this committee.
Publication of results has been possible with the kind support of the Spanish Geological Survey (30th Anniversary SNC monograph cited above).
Most of the activities related to Spanish Working Groups have been financed directely by research projects of the participants, granted by the Spanish government, Regional governments and other institutions.
Lejona, December 19th 2005
Marcos A. Lamolda
Chairman, Spanish National Committee, IGCP