A study led by the Geomorphology, Territory, and Landscape in Volcanic Regions research group at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) has examined how the San Juan (1949), Teneguía (1971), and Tajogaite (2021) eruptions have altered the landscape of La Palma over the past 75 years.
Published in the scientific journal Vegueta of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to mark the fifth anniversary of the Tajogaite eruption, the research looks at changes in geomorphology, vegetation, and land use, finding that these events collectively impacted around 1,900 hectares, creating new scientifically, environmentally, and touristically significant volcanic landscapes.
The research team includes Rafael U. Gosálvez Rey, Rafael Becerra-Ramírez, Estela Escobar, Aarón M. Santana-Cordero, and Nemesio M. Pérez from UCLM, the University of Salamanca, and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (Involcan).
Gosálvez Rey explained to EFE that five years after the Tajogaite eruption, researchers now have an “exceptional perspective” to understand not only the destructive effects of eruptions but also their capacity to create new landscapes, ecosystems, and opportunities for geotourism.
Using aerial photographs, historical maps, and fieldwork, the study reveals that the eruptions destroyed crops, homes, and infrastructure, while also forming volcanic cones, vents, lava tubes, and fields that expanded the island’s land area.
One significant finding is the resilience of volcanic ecosystems. After the eruptions, pioneering species adapted to the new substrates emerge, kickstarting ecological recolonisation processes. The researchers also highlighted the role of “kipukas,” areas untouched by lava flows that act as biodiversity refuges.
Specifically regarding Tajogaite, the study points out that its cone, around 250 metres high, and the new coastal platforms formed by the lava flows have irreversibly changed the Aridane Valley.
The team affirmed that rebuilding in the affected areas must balance heritage protection, as some actions are threatening valuable volcanic structures.
Additionally, the research emphasised that the volcanic landscapes resulting from San Juan, Teneguía, and Tajogaite present an opportunity to foster geotourism and scientific outreach, enhancing La Palma’s international profile as a destination linked to volcanic heritage.
This publication coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Tajogaite eruption, which transformed the lives of thousands of residents on La Palma and marked a new chapter in the island’s geological history. Gosálvez Rey noted that during and after the eruption, several Geovol-UCLM members contributed to monitoring efforts and the reconstruction of the affected areas.
