Geomorfositios de interés geoturístico del volcán monogenético Tajogaite, erupción de 2021 (La Palma, Islas Canarias, España)

Abstract

The Canary Islands (Spain) are an oceanic, subtropical, and active volcanic area located in the African Plate. In the past 500 years, sixteen historical eruptions were documented. The latest eruption formed the Tajogaite monogenetic volcano in La Palma between 19 September and 13 December in 2021. Besides its notable negative impacts on the local communities, the eruption generated an important and diverse volcanic geoheritage with a significant potential for geotourism. The main aim of this work is to select the different and most important volcanic geomorphosites of interest for geotourism development of the Tajogaite volcano and provide a comprehensive catalogue of other volcanic heritage linked to earlier volcanism. The methodology used is based on fieldworks and videos and photos captured from drone surveys during and after the eruption to provide evidence-based data for geoheritage evaluation. The main volcanic geoforms recognized are associated with the formation of volcanic edifices and important lava fields; erosion and accumulation forms have also been identified. As a result, the eruption affected both urban and rural areas and it also generated a significant heritage associated with the effects of tephra and lava accumulation on housing, infrastructure, and crops. Sixteen geomorphosites have been selected and studied. Six sites represent geoheritage of the eruption itself while the remaining ten are related to the surrounding natural and rural pre-eruption landscapes. From these, authorities and companies can generate an on-site and/or virtual geoitineraries.