Results of high-resolution technologies applied in the acquisition of seafloor information in the Colombian Caribbean Sea

Abstract

We expound on a hydrographic and geophysical survey in the south of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina (ASAPSC) in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. In 2017 and 2018, high-resolution data were acquired from the Caribbean Center for Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research (CIOH). The hydrographic data were processed and filtered per International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards and the geomagnetic data were processed, corrected, and filtered to improve the interpretation. We could then characterise the submarine relief, analyse the geomagnetic anomalies in the area, and identify different relief forms of volcanic origin. Regarding geomagnetic work, a spectral analysis of the anomalies revealed highly magnetic bodies in deep water and residual magnetic anomalies strongly related to the seabed morphology. Magnetic highs associated with the basement highs and volcanic cones were detected. Complementary spectral analysis showed that the shallowest magnetic sources were in the first 500 m, whereas the deepest magnetic sources were between the depths of 4 and 5 km. The geomagnetic data were also validated using Euler deconvolution analysis, which confirmed these magnetic anomalies. Thus, a direct relationship between the magnetic anomalies and bathymetry of the seafloor was confirmed, reinforcing the theory of the volcanic origin of these islands.

Keywords:

• Colombian Caribbean Sea
• ASPSC
• bathymetry
• magnetic anomalies
• marine geo-physics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Acknowledgments

This work was possible thanks to the support of the ‘Marine Geomagnetism’ project, founded by the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR). We also thank the Directorate of DIMAR and CIOH for their support in fieldwork and authorisation for the use of data in the preparation of this document. The authors thank the crew of the ARC Roncador Oceanographic Research Vessel and the staff of the CIOH Hydrographic Survey for their collaboration during the survey campaigns and data processing.

Additional information

Funding

APC was funded by the University of Cádiz and RNM912 Coastal Engineering Research Group. The UCA research stay in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) was funded by the University of Cadiz, and supported in Colombia by ENAP (Escuela Naval de Cadetes ‘Almirante Padilla’). The authors thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for their comments and suggestions, which have allowed us to significantly improve the ms.