El Hierro Island Global Geopark

This open access book explores El Hierro Island, which is geologically the youngest of the Canary Islands (Spain). Having registered its latest volcanic eruption in 2011-2012, it is an oceanic subtropical island with low population pressure and a largely unchanged natural landscape. Accordingly, a great geodiversity of volcanic morphologies and erosion processes has been preserved. In addition, half of the land is protected as a Biosphere Reserve and as a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the island is pursuing energy self-sufficiency. Local tourism is a sustainable activity, as the main attractions are either diving or hiking through the island’s various volcanic landscapes. Covering these and other aspects, and using accessible language, the book will appeal to scientists specialized in geotourism, active leisure entrepreneurs, and members of the general public interested in volcanic geoheritage and geotourism.

This book presents an in-depth review of El Hierro Island, the youngest and most southwesterly volcano of the Canary Islands. In October 2011, a submarine eruption started offshore El Hierro Island. The 2011–2012 El Hierro eruption has probably been the best monitored and studied submarine eruption to date and has sparked interest in the study of this young ocean island volcano. During the last decade, multidisciplinary investigations, e.g., on the geological and volcanological character of its past and latest onshore and offshore eruptions, the geophysical and geochemical signatures of its magmatic plumbing system structure and dynamics, as well as the bio-geophysical interactions and consequences of submarine eruptions in the ocean, have been conducted. This book provides an authoritative review of many of these scientific advances as well as multiple remaining unknowns for the study of El Hierro Island and its 2011–2012 submarine eruption. Such knowledge should be of great interest to specialists not only in the Canary Islands volcanism but also in similar ocean island intraplate volcanoes.

Chronicling sixteenth-century Spain to the present day, Beyond Human aims to decentre the human and acknowledge the material historicity of more-than-human nature. The book explores key questions relating to ecological equity, justice, and responsibility within and beyond Spain in the Anthropocene. Examining relations between Iberian cultural practices, historical developments, and ecological processes, Maryanne L. Leone, Shanna Lino, and the contributors to this volume reveal the structures that uphold and dismantle the non-human–human dichotomy and nature-culture divide. The book critiques works from the Golden Age to the twenty-first century in a wide range of genres, including comedia, royal treatises, agricultural reports, paintings, satirical essays, horror fiction and film, young adult and speculative literature, poetry, graphic novels, and television series. The authors contend that Spanish cultural studies must expose the material historicity that entangles today’s ecological crises and ecosocial injustices with previous, future, and contemporary entities. The book argues that this will require the simultaneous decentring of the human and of the Anthropocene as an ecocritical framework. By standardizing ecosocial analysis and widening avenues for ecopedagogical approaches, Beyond Human participates in the ecocentric transformation of Hispanic cultural studies.

Ross K. Dowling and David Newsome present an original, substantial and much-needed contribution to the field to further our understanding of geotourism in theory and practice. This Handbook defines, characterizes and explores the subject through a range of international perspectives and case studies, identifying geotourism as a rapidly emerging form of urban and regional sustainable development. With extensive case studies from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa, this global Handbook examines and explains the relationship between geology and tourism. Thematically arranged sections cover the relationship of geology with tourism, sustainability and society, geotourism in urban areas, and interpretation and education strategies. The final two sections assess geotourism's impact through wide-ranging case studies of UNESCO global geoparks and geotourism in a range of countries. The eminent academics and practitioners demonstrate how geotourism is the future for engaging the public and protecting geosites, as well as emphasising the importance of sustainability. An essential resource for students and educators, this Handbook provides an international perspective for those interested in tourism, environmental geography, ecology and geology. Written with practitioners in mind, this book reveals how tourism professionals and geologists should each know about the nexus of their subjects.

Geodiversity and geoheritage are emerging topics within the geosciences that are increasingly interconnected to biodiversity research and the humanities through the intersection between Earth and culture. Understanding, recognizing and conserving geodiversity is important for various domains, including geology, geomorphology, geography, ecology, conservation and land management. Geodiversity helps preserve Earth's geoheritage, support biodiversity, manage geohazards and promote sustainable land use. Geoheritage also connects with geotourism development and is integral to territorial development studies. This volume showcases theoretical research and case studies prepared by a stimulating selection of early career scientists alongside experienced researchers. The first part of this book is dedicated to conceptual chapters on geodiversity that consider its links to other studies. The second and third sections present an integrated view of geodiversity, geoheritage and landscape through their management and conservation. This volume charts the diversity of research and those working in the field of geodiversity and geoheritage. Through these multidisciplinary perspectives, we invite emerging and early researchers to continue the conversation and strengthen this dynamic field of study.

Recently, UNESCO has gradually started to recognize world geoparks ? territorial spaces with a geological heritage of international importance. This classification presents real challenges. Development strategies must align with the recommendations advocated by various non-governmental organizations. It is also necessary to involve the local actors, both in the preparation of application forms and in the implementation of a management plan that is suitable for sustainable global development. Managing the tensions and asymmetries that exist between the different groups of actors (politicians, managers, scientists, representatives of local populations) constitutes another major issue. It is in this context and through various case studies that this book questions the aims of the UNESCO global geoparks ? in terms of heritage inventory and conservation, the participation of local populations, the local development of a territory and its enhancement through heritage interpretation.

This volume comprises a selection of papers describing the main features of the Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands Geopark (Canary Archipelago, Spain). Of all the Global Geoparks worldwide, it is the only one that has officially evaluated and characterized specific areas as analogues for the geological and astrobiological exploration of Mars. The identification and characterization of terrestrial sites that can be used as planetary analogues are currently considered vital study areas of planetary geology and astrobiology. Written by experts in the various fields, this multidisciplinary book is a unique resource for graduate students and professionals alike.