Geotourism Opportunities and Geoheritage in Tenerife’s Youngest Volcanic Eruption: The 1909 Chinyero Monogenetic Volcano (Canary Islands, Spain)

Abstract

The 1909 Chinyero eruption, a historical event on the Bilma volcanic rift (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain), generated a basaltic monogenetic volcano that constitutes a site of significant geoheritage. Promoting large-scale recognition of the Chinyero volcano’s geoforms and its associated cultural heritage can enhance local resilience territorial development through geoconservation, educational initiatives, and geotourism. This article aims to inventory and analyse the diverse heritage produced during and after the eruption, in addition to assessing the pre-existing heritage associated with this volcanic mountain. The methodology combines fieldwork, the analysis of historical photographic material, and cartographic and scientific literature reviews to study the landforms, vegetation, and remnants of the cultural landscape. The main geoheritage includes two monogenetic basaltic scoria cones, an ash field, ‘a‘ā and pāhoehoe lava flows, and other non-volcanic landforms resulting from erosional and sedimentary processes. The cultural heritage encompasses tangible elements from former agricultural land use preceding the eruption, and intangible values connected to religious, scientific, and educational aspects. The combination of this rich heritage allows for the establishment of eleven geotourism sites within the Chinyero and its surrounding area.