Volcanic geomorphosites and geotourism in Las Cañadas del Teide National Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Resumo

Geomorphosites and geoturism studies are increasing for the high scientific, societal, cultural, and aesthetic valuesof the relief. Volcanic areas are exciting targets for such studies for their geodiversity. The aim of these study isan inventory of volcanic geomorphosites and its relationship to geotourism. Las Cañadas del Teide National Park(LCTNP) is a volcanic complex area located in the central part of Tenerife island (Canary Islands, Spain). This areais a volcanic paradise rich in spectacular landforms: stratovolcanoes, calderas, cinder cones, craters, pahoehoe, aa,block and balls lavas, gullies, etc. The national park is registered in the world heritage list (UNESCO) in 2007as a natural site. The LCTNP receives more than 2,5 million tourists per year and it has 21 main pahts and 14secondary ones. For the selection of the geomophosites the LCTNP was divided into four geomorphological units(Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcanoes, Las Cañadas Caldera wall, the bottom of Las Cañadas and the basaltic volcanicfield) and each one of them is selected the most representative geomorphosites by its geodiversity, because of itsgeomorphological heritage, its landscapes and its tourist potential with the paths. All selected geomorphosites arewithin areas where public use is allowed in the park. The inventory classifies the 23 geomorphosites in two maincategories: (a) direct volcanic with 17 geomorphosites (stratovolcanoes, domes, cinder cones, pahoehoe, aa andbloc lava flows, etc.) and (b) eroded volcanic landforms with 6 (wall of Las Cañadas caldera, talusees, foodplains,etc.). The Teide-Pico Viejo unit is which has more geomorphosites with 8 and the Las Cañadas wall unit possessingless with 5. The assessment evaluates the scientific, cultural/historical, and use values and helps to define prioritiesin site management. These geomorphosites demonstrate the volcanic history and processes of the LCTNP.