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BOLETÍN DE LA SOCIEDAD GEOLÓGICA MEXICANA
http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2009v61n1a11 |
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Batimetría y características hidrográficas (Mayo, 2007) en las Cuencas de Consag y Wagner, Norte del Golfo de California, México
Bathymetry and hydrographic characteristics (May 2007) in the Consag and Wagner Basins, Northern Gulf of California, Mexico
Viridiana Vázquez–Figueroa1,2, Carles Canet2,*, Rosa María Prol–Ledesma2, Alberto Sánchez3, Paul Dando4,5, Antoni Camprubí6, Carlos J. Robinson7, Gerardo Hiriart Le Bert8
1 Universidad del Mar, Campus Puerto Ángel, 70902 Oaxaca, México.
2 Departamento de Recursos Naturales, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoacán, 04510 México D.F., México
3 Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN s/n, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apartado postal 592, 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.
4 Marine Biological Association of the U.K., Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, Reino Unido.
5 School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, Reino Unido.
6 Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoacán, 04510 México D.F., México
7 Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoacán, 04510 México D.F., México.
8 Proyecto IMPULSA IV, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoacán, 04510 México D.F., México.
* This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract
The northern Gulf of California encompasses a complex tectonic setting characterized by several oceanographic and climatic factors that continuously change water circulation and composition as well as sediment dynamics. CTD and echosounder data, collected during May 2007 in the Wagner and Consag basins, are here presented and analyzed, with the aim of determining the principal hydrographic features of the water column and the detailed bathymetry of the basins. Bathymetry is in agreement with fault–bounded, subsiding, pull–apart basins. The slopes that outline the eastern border of both basins coincide with the NNW–striking listric Wagner Fault. CTD results indicate that during the sampling period the seawater column was distinctly stratified, with the thermocline located in the upper 50 m, and only 32% of the stations present a mixing layer. The water temperature ranged from 23°C at the surface to 15°C at the sea bottom. Salinity ranged between 35.8 at the surface and 35.2 at the bottom, and a halocline was not present. A low salinity (35.32) seawater mass was identified, entering the basins from south to north at depths from 50 to 150 m. In addition, the T–S plot indicates the presence of Gulf of California Water.
Keywords: Seawater masses, thermocline, bathymetry, pull–apart basin, Wagner Fault.
