Presentation

The main aim of the group GEOtransfer. Geology for Science and Society is to study in depth the application and transfer of geological knowledge to society and the productive sector.  

It is a reference research group (E32_17R), recognized by the Government of Aragon in March 2018, is made up of 20 researchers from the Dept. of Earth Sciences.

Specific aims:

• Prospection of natural resources, hydrogeological or geothermal; the storage of substances (CO₂); and knowledge of past or present climate changes.
• Determining the 3D geometry of rocky structures and bodies and contributing to knowledge of the formation and development of sedimentary basins and mountain chains.
• Recognizing tectonic structures and active (sedimentary and tectonic) geological processes as major generative sources of risks in Aragon.
• Contributing to the assessment of the cultural heritage of Aragon.
• Fostering the transfer of the results to ensure the sustainable development of society.

Lines of investigation

The group GEOTRANSFER pursues its investigations in a series of exceptional natural laboratories mainly in the Iberian Range, the Pyrenees and the Ebro Basin.  

The main lines of investigation are as follows:

1. Integrated (tectono-stratigraphic) analysis of Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary basins.
2. Regional tectonics, 3D reconstruction of structures and of their kinematics, and elaboration of models of tectono-magmatic evolution.
3. Study of active faults (neotectonics and palaeoseismology) and the determination of seismic hazard.  
4. Identification and delimitation of caves and natural or anthropic rocky bodies by means of the methods of geophysical prospection and its application to the analysis of geological hazards.  
5. Identification and delimitation of cavities and natural or anthropogenic rock bodies through geophysical prospecting methods and their application to geological risk analysis.
6. Geotechnical characterization of the land and petrophysical characterization of construction materials and their alteration.  
7. Present-day and ancient carbonate sedimentary systems, with emphasis on microbialites and their contribution to the study of the evolution of the climate.

Projects undertaken

The current GEOTRANSFER brings together the consolidated groups (since 2002) Geotransfer and Análisis de Cuencas Sedimentarias Continentales (‘Analysis of Continental Sedimentary Basins’).

In the course of its long trajectory, it has collaborated with numerous national and international researchers, contributing in particular to the understanding of stratigraphy, sedimentology, magmatism, tectonic structure, force fields, and the Mesozoic and Cenozoic evolution of the NE of the Iberian Peninsula, of its sedimentary basins (Iberian, Ebro, Montalbán, Aliaga, Teruel, Jiloca) and its mountain chains (Iberian Range, Pyrenees), to the application of magnetic techniques to the tectonic study of basins and ranges (including the Moroccan Atlas Mountains), and to the characterization of seismic hazard (Teruel) or risks associated with collapses and karst subsidence (Zaragoza).  

The results have been published in prestigious scientific journals, but also in numerous books and didactic guides. The group has also co-organized national and international conferences. 

Infrastructure

The group enjoys the use of the infrastructure and equipment of the stratigraphy, tectonics, hydrogeology, petrology and mineralogy laboratories of the Department of Earth Sciences.

This apparatus includes:

• Transmitted and reflected light microscopes;
• Mirror stereoscopes;
• Drone for vertical and oblique photography;
• Equipment for content analysis of carbonates or organic matter;
• Levigation machine, magnetic susceptibility analyser;
• Thermomagnetic curves
• Software for analysis of sedimentary cyclicity;
• Geophysical prospection equipment (magnetometers, georadar with four antennae, electromagnetic prospection, hammer seismics, equipment for seismic wave propagation measurement, gravimeter)
• Specific software for the processing, modelling and interpretation of the results, devices and materials for analogue modelling, drilling equipment (AMS sampling, palaeomagnetism).

Technological Offer/Services

• Studies in basic geology, geological cartography and geological consultancy.
• Well logging and sampling.  
• Textural characterization and granulometry of sediments.  
• Studies of the properties of subsoil by means of geophysical prospection.  
• Cartography and assessment of geological hazards (seismic, karstic).
• Study of the physico-chemical properties of natural and artificial materials.  
• Study of alterations in natural rock in monuments.  
• Basic gemological studies.
• Assessment of water resources (riverbed appraisal, pumping tests, piezometry).  
• Characterization of magnetic properties of rocks.  
• Analogue modelling of tectonic processes.  
• Elaboration of didactic material (guides and information panels) for cultural parks and information centres.

Noticias del Grupo

• ARENAS ABAD, M.C.
• ARLEGUI CRESPO, L.
• CASAS SAINZ, A.
• GIL IMAZ, A.
• LIESA CARRERA, C.
• LUZÓN AGUADO, Mª ARÁNZAZU
• MARCÉN ALBERO, M.
• OSÁCAR SORIANO, M.C.
• ROMÁN BERDIEL, M.T.
• SORIA DE MIGUEL, A.
• SIMÓN MUZAS, A
• PUEYO ANCHUELA, O.
• MAJARENA SERRANO, U.
• TORO MORA, R.
• OLIVA URCIA, B.
• ILLUECA FERNÁNDEZ, N.
• MUÑOZ DEL POZO, A.
• SIMÓN GÓMEZ, J.L.
• BELANDRIA DE BONGIORNO, N.T.
• BASTOS MELLO, L.
• MARTÍN ORTIZ, P.

Chief Investigator:

Carlos Luis Liesa Carrera

carluis@unizar.es

Co-chief investigator:

Mª Aránzazu Luzón Aguado

aluzon@unizar.es