FP5 - COSTA project
Programme: FP 5
Project Title: Continental slope stability
Acronym: COSTA
Duration: 2000-2003
Total Budget : € 3.118.700
Summary: The
main objective of the COSTA project is the assessment of continental slope
stability along the European Continental Margin with respect to natural
processes and human activity. Progress in resolving these major issues are to
be achieved through the examination of
(i) sediment failures from prehistoric to recent times, (ii) areas prone to
sliding, and
(iii) potential areas of deep-water oil & gas exploration in co-operation
with industry. The frequency and magnitude of slope failures are to be
quantified, as they effect marine ecosystems, man-made structures and
continental coastlines, shelves and slopes. Potential triggers such as gas
hydrates slip planes and sediment-flow dynamics are to be studied on
glaciated-dominated (N Atlantic)
as well as river-dominated (W Mediterranean)
margins, and small- versus medium- versus mega scale slides. This also will lay
the foundation for a systematic advancement in our ability to predict risks
inherent in continental slopes.
Contact person in ISMAR: mariangela.ravaioli@bo.ismar.cnr.i
Partnership:
- University of Tromsoe – Norway
- National Research Council - CNR/ISMAR – Italy
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer - IFREMER - France
- University of Bergen - Norway
- University of Oslo - Norway
- Natural Environment Research Council – United Kingdom
- University of Barcelona - Spain
