Volcano-structure of El Hierro (Canary Islands)

Abstract

The first complete volcano-structural map of El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) has been developed in order to provide a tool for volcano-tectonic analyses and volcanic hazard evaluation on the island. This map is a synthesis of collated and interpreted field data and bathymetric maps. We have integrated information obtained from: (1) high-resolution digital elevation models, (2) bathymetric information, (3) topographic, geologic and geomorphological maps, (4) aerial photographs and orthoimages, (5) previous reports and scientific publications, and (6) new detailed field surveys. The 1:100,000-scale map includes the main volcano-structural elements such as vents, eruptive fissures, dykes, faults, and landslides scars. This information has been used for analysing the volcano-tectonic evolution of El Hierro and for estimating the probability of new vent opening on the island (i.e. volcanic susceptibility). We expect that this map will underpin future geological studies and future volcanic risk assessment. ARTICLE HISTORY

Diversity of Volcanic Geoheritage in the Canary Islands, Spain

“…As far as the first step is concerned, several publications were reviewed: volcanology [28,29] and volcanic geomorphology [2,[30][31][32], geomorphological classifications of volcanic areas [5,[33][34][35], and the diversity of landforms and eruptive processes typical of volcanoes or that can be identified in volcanic regions [2,[36][37][38][39][40]. With regard to aerial photographs, orthophotos, topographical and geological maps and DEMS, the Spatial Data Infraestructure-Canarias (IDE-Grafcan S.A.) map database was used at various scales (1:10,000; 1:5000), while different publications on the Canary Islands were consulted for geomorphological maps [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. As to the field work, the members of the research team brought more than 20 years of experience on each of the Canary Islands into the study.…”

Structural interpretation of El Hierro (Canary Islands) rifts system from gravity inversion modelling

“…A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T 6 submarine eruption occurred in (López et al, 2012, Martí et al, 2013, characterized by a high seismic activity without an onshore volcanic culmination, as well as the large amount of submarine volcanic cones around the island (Becerril et al, 2016), suggest that recent offshore eruptions could be more frequent than previously thought.…”

Modelling and simulation of a lava flow affecting a shore platform: a case study of Montaña de Aguarijo eruption, El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain)

“…(1) Tiñor Volcano edifice (1.12-0.54 Ma), (2) El Golfo Volcano edifice (545-176 ka) and (3) the recent rift volcanism (<176 ka) (Becerril et al, 2013(Becerril et al, , 2014(Becerril et al, , 2016Carracedo et al, 2001;Guillou et al, 1996). Their rapid and unstable growth turns out to be one of the conditioning factors on the occurrence of the five giant gravitational landslides identified at El Hierro: Tiñor (<880 ka), (2) Las Playas I (545-176 ka) and II (176-145 ka), (3) El Julan (>158 ka), ( 4) El Golfo (133-21 ka) and (5) Punta del Norte (unknown age) (e.g.…”