The Volcanic Tube of La Corona-Tunnel of the Atlantis, the largest underwater tunnel in the world, 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 the UNED, in collaboration with the Geopark of Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago. This has been confirmed by the Councilor of Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago, Samuel Martín.
Martín has highlighted that this space is a unique ecosystem, which “has become worldwide a place of enormous geological interest, as we disseminate from the Cabildo”
“The work of dissemination and research promoted between the UNED and the Geopark Lanzarote is bearing fruit, justly positioning this unique enclave in the world heritage scene”, commented Martín, who explained that the ICG-IUGS is a commission created in 2016 to identify, preserve and strengthen those places with the highest scientific value within the geological sciences, and that has so far designated a total of 200 Sites of World Geological Interest.
“Now, for the next 100 designations, they have decided to evaluate the proposal of the Volcanic Tube of La Corona-Tunnel of the Atlantis among the places that meet the required standards, good news that consolidates this exceptional natural laboratory as an international reference to understand the history of the planet”, said the Councilor of Geopark Lanzarote.
From Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago the candidacy is analyzed with optimism, and it is trusted in a final designation that will allow, not only to publicize with greater strength the Volcanic Tube-Tunnel of the Atlantis, but also to help its preservation through new cooperation programs.
High scientific and aesthetic value
With more than 1.5 kilometers in length, the underwater tunnel of the Atlantis, the largest in the world, has produced 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, includes the Volcanic Cone of La Corona, with 600 meters of altitude, and the Tunnel of the Atlantis, located in the north, in the municipality of Haría. These formations possess an exceptional geological richness and natural value at a global level, constituting a natural phenomenon of great singularity and an underground landscape of high scientific and aesthetic value.
