Shallow seismic stratigraphy of the southwestern Algarve shelf (Portugal) and characteristics of offshore tsunami deposits

Abstract

Understanding the sedimentary dynamics of continental shelves is crucial for decoding past high-energy events like tsunamis. Based on data from HSV FISÁLIA cruise of the Portuguese Navy, this study investigates the geomorphological features of the southwestern Algarve shelf and the seismo-stratigraphic characteristics of sedimentary units attributed to two tsunamis that occurred in 1755 CE (Lisbon earthquake) and ca. 3600 cal yr BP. Using high-resolution geoacoustic profiling in combination with sedimentological analyses and radiocarbon dating from prior studies, this study is the first to identify an Infralittoral Prograding Wedge on the shallow southwestern Algarve shelf. Furthermore, remnants of an older transgressive prograding wedge-shaped sediment body have been detected on the mid to outer shelf off Portimão. A crucial finding of this study is a high-amplitude reflector which has been associated with the ca. 3600 cal yr BP tsunami deposit. This reflector is particularly strong based on the corresponding deposit's stark compositional contrast with the surrounding sediment. In its distribution, this reflector is restricted to the base of the Infralittoral Prograding Wedge indicating this wedge as the most likely sediment source for the ca. 3600 cal yr BP deposit. On the other hand, the 1755 CE Lisbon tsunami deposit has no clear geophysical signature on the southwestern Algarve shelf due to its vestigial thicknesses and scarce compositional contrast with the surrounding sediment. This divergence raises significant questions about the different triggering mechanisms and transport processes that define both offshore tsunami deposits. Our findings highlight the significance of local bathymetric conditions, sediment sources, as well as triggering mechanisms and transport pathways in shaping offshore tsunami deposits.