Lanzarote geodynamic laboratory
The Geodynamic Laboratory of Lanzarote ( Spanish Laboratorio de Geodinamica de Lanzarote , in short: LGL ) is a research institute on to Spain belonging Canary Island of Lanzarote . It is used to study and research terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric phenomena on the volcanic island.
organization
The Lanzarote Geodynamic Laboratory, operated with the participation of scientists from different nations, is part of the Institute for Astronomy and Geodesy ( Spanish Instituto de Astronomía y Geodesia , short: IAG ), which in turn is a joint institution of the highest Spanish Scientific Council CSIC and the Complutense University of Madrid . It was founded in 1986 through cooperation between the Lanzarote island government and the Institute for Astronomy and Geodesy (IAG) and operates three permanently installed measurement laboratories on the island.
Scientists from several nations conduct research here together. For example, they investigate possible gas leaks, fluctuations in sea level, earthquake activities, deformation of the subsurface and changes in the earth's gravity field . From the beginning of the measurements to date, no significant changes have been indicated that could indicate future volcanic activity.
Research laboratories
At the Casa de los Camelleros
The Casa de los Camelleros (House of the Cameleers) is located in the Timanfaya National Park , where major volcanic eruptions last took place from 1730 to 1736 and 1824. One of the three measurement laboratories has been located in a house abandoned by former camel drivers near the Timanfaya volcano since 1989. Very close to the laboratory is the geothermally most active place on the island, where it is up to 600 ° C a few meters below the surface. Regular temperature measurements take place at certain depths. For this purpose, measurements regarding deformations of the earth's crust, changes in the direction of gravity and changes in the earth's gravity field are carried out in the area of the Casa de Camelleros .
In the Cueva de los Verdes
In 1986 the planning of a laboratory and the first electrical installations began for the Cueva de los Verdes . This cave, accessible to tourists, forms part of a seven kilometer long lava tunnel , starting from the Monte Corona volcano in northern Lanzarote. The laboratory is located in a tunnel of the Cueva de los Verdes away from the tourist crowds, about two kilometers from the coast and five kilometers from the Corona volcano at exactly 37 meters above sea level. In the spring of 1987 the first gravimeter was installed. In addition, continuous measurements such as seismic waves , activities in the earth's gravitational field and the composition of rising gases are carried out here.
In the Jameos del Agua
In 1987 the first mareograf was installed in the Jameos del Agua , which was converted into a tourist attraction by the artist and architect César Manrique . This place also belongs to the seven kilometer long lava tunnel and is located near the east coast of the island. A part of the tunnel, the so-called Túnel de la Atlántida , is filled with seawater and continues below sea level, whereby this zone is subject to the tides , so that more mareographers have been installed here to research changes in sea level.
For this purpose, all measurement data, also from the other two laboratories in the Cueva de los Verdes and in the Casa de Camelleros, are recorded and sent to the Institute for Astronomy and Geodesy (Casa de los Volcanes (House of the Volcanoes) in the Jameos del Aqua). IAG) in Madrid .
In the tourist, educational and scientific center in the Haus der Vulkane, guided tours and lectures are also offered for schoolchildren and tourists. An exhibition on around 2500 square meters, which was redesigned in 2003, shows the volcanism of the earth in a scientific context.