The Olot Volcanic Field

Abstract

The Olot Volcanic Field (OVF) records the youngest eruptions (0.5–0.01 Ma) of the Catalan Volcanic Zone (CVZ), associated with the post-Alpine European intraplate rift. Magma reached the surface through a fault system cross-cutting the Catalan Transversal Range, producing about 50 monogenetic volcanoes built up by strombolian and/or phreatomagmatic activity. The volcanic cones have maximum and average basal widths of 1,290 and 500 m, respectively. Maximum and mean heights are 189–100 m, respectively. Given the age of the eruptions, the primary volcanic landforms are well preserved and geomorphic features related to erosional processes are rare. Lava flows emerging from most of the volcanoes flowed along river valleys, reaching up to 10 km in length and locally generating volcanic dams.