Structural Collapses in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Relatively small landslides of the order of millions of m3 are frequent geological features, while giant landslides or mega-landslides up to thousands of km3 are rare and mainly related to the development of oceanic islands, principally in the initial shield stages. They were first documented in the Hawaiian Islands, but are also extraordinarily well represented in the Canary Islands, where they have been comprehensively studied onshore (pre- and post-collapse processes and the evolution of nested volcanism) and offshore (characteristics and extent of the debris avalanche deposits). Mega-landslides are important processes in the development of oceanic islands and their geomorphological features, particularly valleys and calderas, spectacular landscapes, which constitute relevant natural and economic resources.