A delegation of nine scientists from the University of Padua (Italy) is in Lanzarote to carry out a series of geological studies in the La Corona Volcanic Tube. Founded in 1222, the University of Padua is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Europe, internationally recognised for its research in astronomy and space science and for its collaborations with the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. It also runs the Padua Astronomical Observatory, one of the most important in Italy.
The importance of these scientific collaborations has been underlined, since the impressive geological structure of the La Corona tube provides an ideal setting for research thanks to its excellent state of preservation.
The current research has focused on laser scanner detection in caves, geological studies of collapses over pyroclastic materials and their analysis as analogues for lunar and Martian samples. Among the studies, the laser scanner survey stands out, along with the geophysical survey of the volcanic tube using a gravimeter and magnetometer.
Volcanology and planetary sciences
This research team, led by geologists Francesco Sauro and Riccardo Pozzobon, works regularly in close collaboration with the Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago Geopark, as the experts from the University of Padua are among the scientific collaborators of the Casa de los Volcanes Museum, which strengthens the exchange of knowledge in the fields of volcanology and planetary sciences.
Francesco Sauro, who has confirmed that they will return with further research programmes and doctoral students, wished to thank the Cabildo and the Lanzarote Geopark "for their unconditional support", stating that they consider Lanzarote "a site of global importance for the study of terrestrial and planetary geology".
The La Corona Volcanic Tube, more than seven kilometres long, is one of the island's most treasured natural assets and has recently been the subject of geoconservation work promoted by the Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago Geopark. These initiatives aim to preserve its incalculable international geological value and to ensure its conservation for future research.