Plattform Platform	Reise-Nr. Cruise-No.	Zeitraum Period	Projekt Project	Arbeitsgebiet Working area
Maria S. Merian	MSM113	09.12.2022 - 12.01.2023		Atlantic Ocean

Fahrtleiter Chief Scientist	Institut Institute	Auslaufhafen Port of departure	Einlaufhafen Port of return	Stationskarte Station map	Schiffsroute Trackchart
Krastel Sebastian	Institut fur Geophysik der Universitat Kiel	Las Palmas	Las Palmas

Ziel der Reise / Objectives of Cruise:

We realized an interdisciplinary approach, including a variety of geophysical, geological, geotechnical and oceanographic methods, to study processes that lead to the formation of large fields of sediment waves at the Northwest African margin. We mapped large areas of the Northwest African slope hosting sediment waves with hydroacoustic and seismic methods and combine these with oceanographic measurements of the water column to gain insight into the dynamics of processes that act across the water-sediment interface. Direct evidence from oceanographic moorings with pressure-, temperature-sensors and acoustic doppler current profilersl completed the interdisciplinary data set. Subsurface information from seismic data and sedimentological data from sediment cores untangle the complex interplay of ocean dynamics and surface morphology as well as evolution through time. We will gain new insight into the formation of sediment waves with essential findings to improve our understanding of sediment wave generation. Furthermore, the western unstable flank of the Cumbre Vieja volcano (La Palma) was mapped as part of a supplementary application. In late 2021, Cumbre Vieja volcano, that builds up the southern part of the island of La Palma, experienced its longest eruption in historic times. Although the eruption appears to have subsided for now, it is unclear what hazards are going forward, mainly because we do not know exactly what changed as a result of recent events, especially in the submarine portions of La Palma. There is ample evidence from geodetic and geological data onshore that the western flank of Cumbre Vieja is slowly sliding into the Atlantic Ocean. The marine continuation of the flank was mapped in detail during the cruise.

Messungen / Measurements

Verankerungen / Moorings