Geology of the Canary Islands

An evidence-led guide to how these volcanic islands are built, reshaped and monitored.

Origin and evolution of the archipelago

From the ocean floor to island edifices shaped by growth, erosion and renewed volcanism.

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Volcanism and eruptions

From magma generation in the mantle to eruptive styles and the most recent historical crises.

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Rocks and volcanic materials

From magma to rock: basalt, scoria, pyroclasts, tubes and dikes as keys to reading each island’s history.

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Relief, erosion and large landslides

Volcanic construction and erosional dismantling: ravines, cliffs, valleys and collapses that sculpt the present landscape.

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Submarine geology

Most of each Canarian edifice remains beneath the sea: platforms, submarine slopes, seamounts and lava flows that only bathymetry and geophysics reveal.

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Volcanic hazards and monitoring

Distinguishing hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk to monitor the Canarian volcanoes with dated data and official protocols.

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Hydrogeology, aquifers and geothermal energy

How water circulates in volcanic terrains, which aquifers feed the islands and what geothermal potential lies in their depths.

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Archive articles that expand the geology from rifts, the sea and water.

Triple rifts: the hidden key to volcanic evolution in the Canary Islands
naturaleza

Triple rifts: the hidden key to volcanic evolution in the Canary Islands

Triple rifts, star-shaped geological structures, control the growth and volcanic activity of the Canary Islands and explain many of their natural hazards.

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How the Sea Shapes the Canary Islands: Erosion, Cliffs, and Beaches
naturaleza

How the Sea Shapes the Canary Islands: Erosion, Cliffs, and Beaches

The sea is the main force shaping the Canary Islands' coasts, responsible for both erosion and the creation of beaches and cliffs. Discover how waves and currents have sculpted the archipelago's unique shorelines.

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Water in the Canary Islands: resources, management, and challenges
naturaleza

Water in the Canary Islands: resources, management, and challenges

Water is a limited and essential resource in the Canary Islands. This article examines its origins, management strategies, and the challenges of its use.

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