Laboratory of Seafloor and SubSeafloor Geological Processes

The LS3GP carries out research and is available for consulting on the following topics:

1.    Offshore geohazards.
2.    Continental margin hydrogeology.
3.    Glacial geomorphology and sedimentology.
4.    Stratigraphy and architecture of continental margins.

Services provided by the group Include:

A. Geohazard evaluation studies, particularly those related to submarine slope instability and derived tsunamis, but also with regard to the characterization of earthquake-generating faults and tsunamis.

B. – Seafloor and subseafloor mapping using a variety of geophysical techniques including multibeam and side-scan sonars as well as subbottom profilers

C.- 3D seismic interpretation projects

D.- Collection of physical properties data using a suite of fully automatic soil mechanics devices, including triaxial, CRS and Rowe & Barden cells.

Collico, S., Arroyo; M., Urgeles, R., Gràcia E:, De Vincenzi, M., Peréz, N., 2020. Probabilistic mapping of earthquake-induced submarine landslide susceptibility in the South-West Iberian margin. Marine Geology, 429: 106296. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106296

Garcia, X., Julià, J., Nemocón, A. M., & Neukirch, M. (2019). Lithospheric thinning under the Araripe Basin (NE Brazil) from a long-period magnetotelluric survey: Constraints for tectonic inversion. Gondwana Research, 68, 174-184. DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2018.11.013

Llopart, J., Urgeles, R., Forsberg, C.F., Camerlenghi, A., Vanneste, M., Rebesco, M., Lucchi, R.G., Rüther, D.C., Lantzsch, H. (2019): Fluid flow and pore pressure development throughout the evolution of a trough mouth fan, western Barents Sea. Basin Research, 31: 487-513. DOI: 10.1111/bre.12331

Urgeles, R., Bahk, J.J., Lee, S.H., Horozal, S., Cukur, D., Kim, S.-P., Kim, G.-Y., Jeong, S.-W., Um, I.-K..(2019): Tsunami hazard from submarine landslides: scenario-based assessment in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Japan Sea). Geosciences Journal, 23: 439-460. DOI: 10.1007/s12303-018-0044-x

Mauffrey, M.A., Urgeles R., Berné, S., Canning, J. (2017): The role of fluvial connections in the Plio-Quaternary development of submarine canyons revealed by 3D seismic data: the Ebro Margin, NW Mediterranean. Quaternary Science Reviews, 158: 77-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.01.006

Monteys, X., Hung, P., Scott, G., Garcia, X., Evans, R. L., & Kelleher, B. (2016). The use of multibeam backscatter angular response for marine sediment characterisation by comparison with shallow electromagnetic conductivity. Applied Acoustics, 112, 181-191. DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2016.05.010

Garcia, X., Monteys, X., Evans, R. L., & Szpak, M. (2014). Constraints on a shallow offshore gas environment determined by a multidisciplinary geophysical approach: The Malin Sea, NW Ireland. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 15(4), 867-885. DOI: 10.1002/2013GC005108

Urgeles, R., Camerlenghi, A. (2013): Submarine landslides of the Mediterranean Sea: trigger mechanisms, dynamics and frequency‐magnitude distribution, Journal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface, 118: 2600-2618. DOI: 10.1002/2013JF002720

Urgeles, R., Camerlenghi, A., Garcia-Castellanos, D., De Mol, B., Garcés, M., Vergés, J., Haslam, I., Hardman, M. (2011):  New constraints on the Messinian sealevel drawdown from 3D seismic data of the Ebro Margin, western Mediterranean. Basin Research, 23: 123-145. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2117.2010.00477.x

Moore, J.C., Urgeles, R., Conin, M., Flemings, P.B., Iturrino, G.J. (2011):  Threshold of breakout formation: Stress orientations and the mechanics borehole failure, Mississippi Fan, Gulf of Mexico. Geosphere, 7: 684-693. DOI: 10.1130/GES00613.1

Sultan, N., Gaudin, M., Berné, S., Canals, M., Urgeles, R. and Lafuerza, S. (2007): Analysis of slope failures in submarine canyon heads: An example from the Gulf of Lions, J. Geophys. Res., 112(F1): Art. No. F01009. DOI: 10.1029/2005JF000408

Urgeles, R., Leynaud, D., Lastras, G., Canals, M., Mienert, J. (2006): Back-analysis and failure mechanisms of a large submarine slide on the Ebro continental slope, NW Mediterranean, Marine Geology, 226: 185-206. DOI: 10.1029/2005JB003929

Urgeles, R., Locat, J., Lee, H. and Martin, F. (2002): The Saguenay Fjord, Québec, Canada:
Integrating marine geotechnical and geophysical data for spatial seismic slope stability and hazard assessment, Marine Geology, 185: 319-340. DOI: 10.1016/S0025-3227%2802%2900185-8

We are located in Barcelona’s Vila Olímpica District between the Hospital del Mar and the Olympic Towers. To reach ICM, you can use:

• Bus: The end of the lines 59, 45, 92, 71 and V21 are a few meters from the ICM. More information
• Metro: The L4 line (yellow line) has a station (Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica) 300 metres from the ICM. More information

If you come from outside Barcelona arriving by:

• Car: Use the Ronda Litoral. Towards Besós (north) take exit 21. Towards Llobregat (south) take exit 22.
• Train (RENFE): Get off at one of these stations: Sants Estació, Clot, Passeig de Gràcia. And take the underground L4 line (yellow line) to Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica station.
• Train (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Catalana FGCC): Get off at Plaça Catalunya station, and take the 59 bus or the underground.
• Airplane: Directly from the Airport one may take train, bus or taxi.

Dr. Roger Urgeles
Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC)
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49
08003 Barcelona
Direct +34 93 2309516
Switchboard +34 93 2309500 ext. 1133
Fax +34 93 2309555
urgeles@icm.csic.es