Geological materials, morphologies and structures in the coast of Gáldar (NW of Gran Canaria): coastal georoute, incorporating an inclusive one in Sardina del norte

Abstract

The coastline of Gáldar municipality, NW of Gran Canaria Island, is about 24 km in length, comprising a volcanic and rocky littoral characterised by cliffs tens of meters high, coastal platforms, caves, erosive remains, and occasional pebble and sand beaches (Balcells et al., 1990). These materials, geoforms and structures are mainly related to both strombolian volcanic eruptions from the plio-quaternary Post-Roque Nublo magmatic cycle (e.g.: mafic and ultramafic lava flows, pyroclastic cones, fall pyroclastic deposits, dikes) and to erosive features from sea abrasion and nearby ravines. The proposed coastal georoute is divided into 3 stages of about 8 km each, along trails and dirt tracks, with more than 20 viewpoints and sites of geological relevance: (i) Juncal beach - Sardina bay, (ii) Sardina bay - Bocabarranco beach, and (iii) Bocabarranco beach - Caleta de Arriba. This georoute offers geoscientific, didactic, and cultural interest for research community, different teaching cycles, geotourism and public in general, since its location has hardly been studied. Likewise, an inclusive route for people with physical disabilities (i.e.: visual impairment and reduced mobility) has been proposed in the bay of Sardina del Norte, due to its great accessibility and variety of natural and cultural heritage. This work is basic for future strategies of geoconservation, scientific diffusion and coastalmanagement. Aside from several geoheritage investigations carried out on Gran Canaria Island, yet this is the first work on the subject for this municipality.