The Island of Volcanoes

Lanzarote is stunning, one of the best places in the world to engage first hand with volcanoes. Its landscapes are unique and beautiful, volcanoes and lava fields can be explored easily, the rocks are highly visible, the geological story can be clearly summarised, the island is easy to visit, the weather is great (usually!) and there is plenty of accommodation. Spectacular landscape viewpoints abound, many accessible from the roadside, and the whole package has been enhanced by the artist and visionary Cesar Manrique, especially through the Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism (CACT).

This awe-inspiring open-air museum of volcanoes has been awarded some of the UN’s most prestigious environmental designations, such as Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark. Lanzarote and its islands are full of astonishing geosites, including Timanfaya National Park, created by the volcanic eruptions in the 18th century, miles of lava tubes (volcanic tunnels), dramatic lava fields and spectacular coastal features. Much of this has been made readily accessible for visitors.

Containing 15 new maps and diagrams and over 140 photographs, “The Island of Volcanoes” is a lavishly illustrated introductory guide to Lanzarote geology and landscape. It outlines the formation of the Canary Islands, the several phases of Lanzarote’s volcanism and the island’s diverse sediments and hazards. Going beyond the basic geology, the section on “Living with Volcanoes” addresses water supply, hydrocarbon deposits, vine growing, global geopark and the CACTs. Written in clear, straightforward language and primarily for non-specialists, the 190-page book recounts Lanzarote's geological history in a simplified way. Basic geological concepts are explained in plain English where necessary and it draws on recent research, showing how Lanzarote's rocks and landscapes give evidence of past geological activity.

Being authoritative and up-to-date, the book will also be of interest to readers with geological knowledge. Readers will be impressed by the stunning photographs, most taken by professional photographers Rubén Acosta and Christian Hansen specifically for this book. The Foreword is written by renowned volcanologists Juan Carlos Carracedo and Valentín R. Troll, Earth Science Fellows of the Royal Academy of Sciences of the Canary Islands. The author, Roger Trend, is a retired teacher and academic who specialised in geology education at Oxford and other UK universities.

Lanzarote is a unique island that resembles another planet yet has a profound connection to the purest origins of Earth. This awe-inspiring open-air museum of volcanoes has been awarded some of the UN’s most prestigious environmental designations, such as Biosphere Reserve and World Geopark. Lanzarote and its islands are full of astonishing sights and attractions, including Timanfaya National Park, created by the volcanic eruptions in the 18th century, miles of underground volcanic tunnels, dramatic lava fields, and, not least, the innovative and artistic ways islanders have adapted to their landscape over the centuries to make the most of the blanket of volcanic rock. This book features photographs by Rubén Acosta and Christian Hansen, with a foreword from renowned volcanologists Juan Carlos Carracedo and Valentín R. Troll. The author, Roger Trend, is a retired academic from Oxford and other universities. He presents geology in an educational and poetic way, offering a comprehensive and engaging explanation of the complex processes that shaped a landscape that captivates the European Space Agency and NASA, as well as millions of tourists each year.