El Hierro Island Global Geopark: Diversity of Volcanic Heritage for Geotourism

124 Pages·2022·9.087 MB·English

by  Javier Dóniz-Páez, Nemesio M. Pérez

Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism
Javier Dóniz-Páez
Nemesio M. Pérez Editors
El Hierro Island
Global Geopark
Diversity of Volcanic Heritage for Geotourism
Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism
Conservation and Management Series
Series Editors
Wolfgang Eder, GeoCentre-Geobiology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen,
Niedersachsen, Germany
Peter T. Bobrowsky, Geological Survey of Canada, Sidney, BC, Canada
Jesús Martínez-Frías, CSIC-Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Geociencias,
Madrid, Spain
Spectacular geo-morphological landscapes and regions with special geological features or
mining sites are becoming increasingly recognized as critical areas to protect and conserve for
the unique geoscientific aspects they represent and as places to enjoy and learn about the
science and history of our planet. More and more national and international stakeholders are
engaged in projects related to “Geoheritage”, “Geo-conservation”, “Geoparks” and “Geo-
tourism”; and are positively influencing the general perception of modern Earth Sciences.
Most notably, “Geoparks” have proven to be excellent tools to educate the public about Earth
Sciences; and they are also important areas for recreation and significant sustainable economic
development through geotourism. In order to develop further the understanding of Earth
Sciences in general and to elucidate the importance of Earth Sciences for Society, the
“Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism Conservation and Management Series” has been
launched together with its sister “GeoGuides” series. Projects developed in partnership with
UNESCO, World Heritage and Global Geoparks Networks, IUGS and IGU, as well as with
the ‘Earth Science Matters’ Foundation will be considered for publication. This series aims to
provide a place for in-depth presentations of developmental and management issues related to
Geoheritage and Geotourism in existing and potential Geoparks. Individually authored
monographs as well as edited volumes and conference proceedings are welcome; and this
book series is considered to be complementary to the Springer-Journal “Geoheritage”.
Javier Dóniz-Páez . Nemesio M. Pérez
Editors
El Hierro Island Global
Geopark
Diversity of Volcanic Heritage for Geotourism
123
Editors
Javier Dóniz-Páez Nemesio M. Pérez
Departamento de Geografía e Historia Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias
Universidad de La Laguna (INVOLCAN)
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
ISSN 2363-765X ISSN 2363-7668 (electronic)
Geoheritage, GeoparksandGeotourism
ConservationandManagement Series
ISBN978-3-031-07288-8 ISBN978-3-031-07289-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07289-5
©TheEditor(s)(ifapplicable)andTheAuthor(s)2023.Thisbookisanopenaccesspublication.
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Preface
El Hierro is the smallest and geologically the most recent island of the Canaries, and it
registered the last submarine eruption in Spain during the years 2011 and 2012. It is an
oceanic, subtropical and volcanic island which has a low population pressure and as a result
has barely modified its original volcanic and non-volcanic landscapes. All these aspects allow
the existence of a great geodiversity of volcanic morphologies (cinder cones, lava flows, lava
deltas, lava tubes, hornitos, tumuli), erosion processes (landslides, ravines and cliffs) and
sedimentary processes (beaches, dunes, alluvial and colluvial deposits) which have been
geoconserved. In addition, more than 52% of its territory are natural protected areas by the
Canary Law of Natural Spaces, for example a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO Global
Geopark, and aiming also to be energetically self-sufficient. Moreover, El Hierro Island
contains a singularity of rural landscapes associated with its volcanic origin, its subtropical
latitude, its scarce waters and low population Tourism in the island is a sustainable activity,
and its main attractions are diving and hiking through the different volcanic landscapes of the
island. All these aspects contribute to the geographical diversity of El Hierro in reference to its
volcanic (heritage) and rich cultural heritage. Because of this, the informative nature of this
book becomes necessary, written in a simple but scientific language, allowing this way the
main readers to be scientists specialized in geotourism, active leisure entrepreneurs and the
general public interested in volcanic geoheritage and geotourism.
The chapters included in this book provide a general but also detailed overview of the main
aspects that characterize El Hierro, its Global Unesco Geopark and the integration of natural
volcanic and non-volcanic geoheritage with its society along with the history of the island and
the heritage generated. The book is structured into four parts. The first part is an introduction
about the importance of geoheritage and its relationship with other concepts such as geodi-
versity, geoconservation, geoculture and geoparks. The second part is dedicated to the
geography and geology context of the island. The third concerns the diversity of geographical
natural and cultural heritage. And finally, the fourth part is dedicated to geotourism and the
main products in El Hierro Global Geopark promoting its sustainable use. Thus, through the
different chapters of this book we will learn about the main values associated with the geology,
landscapes, habitats, history and culture of El Hierro.
Chapter “Volcanic Geoheritage in the Light of Volcano Geology”. It introduces the main
concept associated with geoheritage, geodiversity and geoconservation in volcanic landscapes
with special reference to the highlight of geology perspective. Moreover, the chapter revises,
in detail, the natural and cultural heritage present in volcanic landforms and processes.
Chapter “Volcanology of Recent Oceanic Active Island”. It describes the main vol-
canological features of El Hierro focusing on the origin of the island and its evolution and
identifies its main geological edifices. The chapter offers the reader an overview of the geology
of El Hierro and its current scientific knowledge.
Chapter “Volcanic Geomorphology in El Hierro Global Geopark”. It helps to understand
the volcanic geomorphology of El Hierro and its volcanic and non-volcanic diverse forms and
processes. The chapter explains, in detail, the physiography features, the erosive and accu-
mulative landforms and finally the monogenetic mafic volcanism present in the island.
v
vi Preface
Chapter “Geoheritage Inventory of the El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark”. It shows the
vegetation associated with the landscapes of El Hierro and its relationship with the volcanic
relief, with special attention to the evolution of the vegetation in volcanic rifts of El Hierro
Geopark. It also reviews the great diversity of species and habitats.
Chapter “The Vegetation Landscapes of a Oceanic Recent Volcanic Island”. It describes
the main volcanic geomorphosites detected in El Hierro Global UNESCO Geopark and their
promotion of the itineraries for volcano tourism in this island. In this chapter, one of the
georoutes in the island is selected in order to show the diversity of volcanic and non-volcanic
geoheritage, spectacular vegetation landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.
Chapter “Human Occupation of a Small Volcanic Island”. It describes the identification,
selection and characterization of the main geosites present in El Hierro Global UNESCO
Geopark. These geological and geomorphological sites show its geoheritage which are very
important to the new geotouristic products in the island.
Chapter “Rural Landscapes in an Oceanic Volcanic Island”. It describes the main geo-
morphosites of El Hierro based on the diversity of its volcanic and non-volcanic geoheritage
and cultural heritage and proposes a georoute with volcano tourist interest in the Orchilla
geozone, where there is an important place of the island with a diverse and rich natural and
cultural heritage associated with the mafic volcanism.
Chapter “Geomorphosites of El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark (Canary Islands, Spain):
Promotion of Georoutes for Volcanic Tourism”. It is devoted to the geographical biodiversity
of the geopark and the great variety of birds and their habitats. And then, a trail network of
paths and viewpoints of El Hierro is proposed which constitutes the basic infrastructure for
ornithological tourism or birdwatching under the sustainable uses’ principles.
Chapter “Birdwatching as a New Tourist Activity in El Hierro Geopark”. It shows the
cultural seascapes in the marine reserve of “Sea of Calms” and La Restinga coast. This
geographical space is the main tourist destination of El Hierro Geopark, and the main activities
are associated with scuba diving. The biodiversity of marine life and the cultural heritage
of the fishers are two principal characteristics of this landscape.
Chapter “Cultural Seascapes in the ‘Sea of Calms’ and La Restinga Coast” reviews the
submarine eruption which occurred in 2011–2012 in the Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve.
This is the first eruption occurred in El Hierro in the historical period. The chapter is divided
into two sections. In the first one, the eruption is analysed, and the second shows the geo-
touristic interest of this eruption. Lastly, we will remember when this eruption finished since
the local administration started the project for El Hierro as a Geopark in 2012.
Finally,Chapter“SubmarineEruptionofElHierro,GeotourismandGeoparks”reviewsthe
submarine eruption which occurred in 2011–2012 in the Mar de Las Calmas marine reserve.
ThisisthefirsteruptionoccurredinElHierrointhehistoricalperiod.Thechapterisdividedin
two sections. In the first one the eruption is analysed and the second shows the geotouristic
interest ofthis eruption.Lastly, we will remember when this eruptionfinished since the local
administration started the project for El Hierro as a Geopark in 2012.
Thisbookwassupportedbyproject“VOLTURMAC,Fortalecimientodelvolcanoturismoen
laMacaronesia(MAC2/4.6c/298)”,andisco-financedbytheCooperationProgramINTERREG
V-ASpain-PortugalMAC(Madeira-Azores-Canarias)2014–2020,http://volturmac.com/.
Tenerife, Spain Javier Dóniz-Páez
Nemesio M. Pérez
Contents
Volcanic Geoheritage in the Light of Volcano Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Károly Németh
Volcanology of Recent Oceanic Active Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
William Hernández Ramos, Victor Ortega, Monika Przeor, Nemesio M. Pérez,
and Pedro A. Hernández
Volcanic Geomorphology in El Hierro Global Geopark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Cayetano Guillén Martín and Carmen Romero
Geoheritage Inventory of the El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Ramón Casillas Ruiz, Yurena Pérez Candelario, and Cristina Ferro Fernández
The Vegetation Landscapes of a Oceanic Recent Volcanic Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Esther Beltrán-Yanes and Isabel Esquivel-Sigut
Human Occupation of a Small Volcanic Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Carlos S. Martín Fernández
Rural Landscapes in an Oceanic Volcanic Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Víctor Onésimo Martín Martín
Geomorphosites of El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark (Canary Islands,
Spain): Promotion of Georoutes for Volcanic Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Javier Dóniz-Páez and Rafael Becerra-Ramírez
Birdwatching as a New Tourist Activity in El Hierro Geopark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Rafael Ubaldo Gosálvez Rey, Adrián Navas Berbel,
and Diego López de la Nieta González de la Aleja
Cultural Seascapes in the ‘Sea of Calms’ and La Restinga Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Raquel De la Cruz-Modino, Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira, Shankar Aswani,
Carla González-Cruz, David Domínguez, Paula Ordóñez García,
Agustín Santana-Talavera, and José Pascual-Fernández
Submarine Eruption of El Hierro, Geotourism and Geoparks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
William Hernandez Ramos, Victor Ortega, Monika Przeor, Nemesio M. Pérez,
and Pedro A. Hernández
vii
Volcanic Geoheritage in the Light
of Volcano Geology
Károly Németh
Abstract geoeducation where resilience toward volcanic hazard
could be explored and applied more effectively than it is
Volcanic geoheritage relates to the geological features of
done today. Geoparks within volcanic terrains or
a region that are associated with the formation of a
volcanism-influenced regions should be the flagship
volcanic terrain in diverse geoenvironmental conditions.
conservation, education and tourism sites for this mes-
These features include the volcanic processes, volcanic
sage. Volcanism can be an integral part of processes
landforms and/or the eruptive products of volcanism that
operating in sedimentary basins. Here volcanic eruptive
form the geological architecture of that region. Volcanic
products and volcanic processes contribute to the sedi-
geoheritageisexpressedthroughthelandscapeandhowit
ment fill and geological features that characterize the
forms andevolvesthrough volcanicprocessesonvarious
geoheritage of that region.
spatio-temporalscales.Inthissenseitisdirectlylinkedto
the processes of how magma released, transported to the
Keywords
surface and fragmented, the styles of eruption and . . .
accumulation of the eruptive products. Volcanic geoher- Geoheritage .Geodiversity Ge.oconservation .
itage is directly linked to the natural processes that Geoeducat.ion Volc.anic facies .Eruption style .
generatedthem.Geoculturalaspectsaretreatedseparately Explosive E.ffusive Pyro.clastic Volcan.ogeology.
throughvolcanic geosite identification and their valoriza- Monogenetic Polygenetic Stratovolcano Caldera
tion stages. Identification of volcanic geosites, based on Submarine volcanism
various valorization techniques, have been applied suc-
cessfully in the past decades to many geological heritage
elements. Volcanism directly impacts societal, cultural,
and traditional development of communities, hence the 1 Introduction
“living with volcanoes” concept and indigenous aspects
and knowledge about volcanism can and should play Volcanic eruptions are frequently the subject of global and
important roles in these valorization methods through local media attention because volcanism fascinates people,
co-development, transdisciplinary approaches by includ- even in areas not hosting active volcanoes. In fact, volcanic
ing interconnected scientists in discussions with local events generate more interest from people than any other
communities. Elements of volcanism and volcanic geo- geological processes (Erfurt-Cooper 2011; Erfurt-Cooper
heritage benefit of the geoculture of society so volcanic 2014) (Fig. 1). This behavior has been identified as one of
geoheritage sites are ideal locations for community the main driving forces behind volcano tourism, a special
typeofgeotourismassociatedwithadventuretourism(Erfurt
2018).Volcanicgeologyhasbeenincorporatedintomethods
for evaluating the geoheritage values of volcanic terrains
K.Németh(&) especiallyfromtheperspectiveofUNESCOWorldHeritage
SchoolofAgricultureandEnvironment,MasseyUniversity,
site nominations. The main international body that stands
PalmerstonNorth,NewZealand
e-mail:[email protected] behind the UNESCO World Heritage site selections mostly
K.Németh by providing advice and recommendation of the scientific
GeoconservationTrustAotearoaPacific,Ōpōtiki,NewZealand value of the proposed sites, The International Union for
ConservationofNature(IUCN),haspublishedtwothematic
InstituteofEarthPhysicsandSpaceScience,Sopron,Hungary
©TheAuthor(s)2023 1
J.Dóniz-PáezandN.M.Pérez(eds.),ElHierroIslandGlobalGeopark,
Geoheritage,GeoparksandGeotourism,https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07289-5_1
2 K.Németh
Fig.1 Volcaniceruptionduring
the2021Geldingadalir,Iceland
eruptiveeventsthefullarrayofa
typicalmildlyexplosive,
dominantlyeffusivebasaltic
volcaniceruptioncanbeobserved
(a)thatfascinatethevisitors(b).
PhotobyGisliGislason
studies on volcanoes (Wood 2009; Casadevall et al. 2019). (Fig. 2b,c),andhowtheyvanishovertime(Fig. 2d).Inthis
Thefirstissue,publishedin2009(Wood2009),outlinesthe chapter we provide a working approach to view volcanic
significance of volcano science and volcanic landforms in geoheritageasauniversalandabsolutevalueofgeoheritage
the selection criteria for granting UNESCO World heritage that also provides a scientifically established background of
sitestatustoavolcanicterrain.Thisreport,however,lacksa qualitative and quantitative geodiversity estimates of vol-
practical, systematic comparative study that nominating canic terrains or volcanism-influenced sedimentary basins.
bodiescouldreadilydeploy.Hencewheresitesproposedfor The proposed approach provides a firm foundation of how
UNESCOWorldHeritagestatushadstrongassociationwith volcanic geoheritage can be utilized in geoconservation
volcanism it became apparent that further study was war- strategies or for geotourism purposes. Here a proposed
ranted.Anewreport,releasedin2019astheWorldHeritage approachisoutlinedthatprovidesanon-biased,geologically
Volcanoes document (Casadevall et al. 2019), recommends validated approach to express the attributes of volcanic
classification methods, knowledge gap analysis and some geoheritage. Later, we discuss the geocultural aspects
recommendationsabouthowfuturesitesshouldbeaccepted including indigenous cosmovisions on volcanism that can
forlisting.Whilethisreport,andthestrongerinvolvementof actasadrivingmechanismtovalorizegeoheritagevaluesto
IUCN in this process, with the aid of geoscientists with identify, locate and map volcanic geoheritage sites.
expertise on volcano geology is certainly a major step for-
ward, it is still very general and lacks definitive guidelines.
Volcanic geoheritage is currently used in a very broad 2 Geoheritage—Geodiversity—
sense, essentially to any volcanic terrain, feature, processes, Geoconservation from Volcano Science
deposit or eruption that are in some way unique to or Perspective
associated with some geocultural perspective (Nemeth et al.
2017). The historic eruption record, oral traditions from There is general confusion and convoluted usage of terms
indigenous cultures or strong geocultural links are used to and methods used to define volcanic geoheritage. The same
define the volcanic geoheritage. Volcanic geoheritage is issue exists in how we treat and define geoheritage in gen-
commonly viewed as an attribute serving geotourism or eral. Current systematic research, based on study of the
geoeducation purposes. While there is no doubt that vol- published scientific data shows that a largely inhomoge-
canism is a key element of many geotourism projects, neous approach exists to define geoheritage and consensus
development of geopark models and heavily linked to its has not been reached yet (Nemeth et al. 2021a, 2021). In
geoeducation potential, volcanic geoheritage is somehow a many cases geoheritage, geoheritage site and geodiversity
more broader concept and it should be viewed through our are mixed terms that are inconsistently applied with few if
current knowledge on how volcanoes work or evolve any synonym terms. “Geoheritage” is a generic but
(Fig. 2a), their role in creating or modifying landscapes descriptivetermappliedtositesorareasofgeologicfeatures