RedaccionThe Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago counselor, Samuel Martín, is pleased with the candidacy of the Geological Heritage Commission of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) confirming how the Tube of La Corona-Atlantic Tunnel, a unique ecosystem, «has become a place of enormous geological interest worldwide, as we have been promoting from the Cabildo.»
The volcanic tube of La Corona-Atlantic Tunnel, the world’s largest underwater tunnel, has submitted its candidacy as a new World Geological Heritage Site by the Geological Heritage Commission of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). This candidacy has been scientifically endorsed by Javier Lario, Professor of Geology at UNED, in collaboration with the Geopark of Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago. This was confirmed by counselor Samuel Martín.
«The dissemination and research work promoted between UNED and the Geopark of Lanzarote is bearing fruit, rightfully positioning this unique enclave on the world heritage scene,» Martín commented. He explained that ICG-IUGS is a commission created in 2016 to identify, preserve, and strengthen those places with the highest scientific value within the geological sciences, having designated a total of 200 World Geological Interest Sites so far.
«Now, for the next 100 designations, they have decided to evaluate the proposal of the volcanic tube of La Corona-Atlantic Tunnel among the places that meet the required standards, good news that consolidates this exceptional natural laboratory as an international reference to understand the planet’s history,» stated the Geopark Lanzarote counselor.
Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago are optimistic about the candidacy, and they trust in a final designation that will not only help to further promote the volcanic tube-Atlantic Tunnel but also contribute to its preservation through new cooperation programs.
High scientific and aesthetic value
With over 1.5 kilometers in length, the underwater tunnel of Atlantis, the world’s largest, has created a unique ecosystem and has become a place of enormous geological interest. The tunnel was formed when the sea level was 120 meters below the current level.
The natural monument of La Corona, a protected area in Lanzarote, encompasses the La Corona Volcanic Cone, 600 meters high, and the Atlantic Tunnel, located in the north, in the municipality of Haría. These formations possess exceptional geological richness and natural value globally, constituting a natural phenomenon of great singularity and an underground landscape of high scientific and aesthetic value.
