DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES

Portada DVL

Study trips in the heart of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park led by local English-speaking guides aimed at discovering the secrets of the local volcanic landscape – the largest in the Iberian Peninsula – and the impact of this protected area on the local population and landscape.

General information:  DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES

Educational activities are based around guided fieldwork in and around the volcanoes and visits to the protected area, using materials that have been especially designed for this type of activity. Walks up and into craters, inside volcanoes, across lava flows and to the base of basaltic cliffs are combined with visits to the local volcano museum and natural park facilities.

VULCANISM – Three levels

1. BASIC. A simple introduction to the local volcanic landscape and its relation to the main volcanic features.
+ info: DVL Basic vulcanism

2. SPECIFIC. A more advanced look at three overlapping lava flows (e.g. retraction habits), cone morphology and land-use on the natural park.
+ info: DVL Specific vulcanism

3. ADVANCED. A broader, more general look at the volcanic activity leading to a detailed study of volcanic materials and the six eruptive phases of the volcano Croscat, the largest and youngest in the Iberian Peninsula.
+ info: DVL Advanced vulcanism

TOURISM

1. HUMAN IMPACT IN THE NATURAL PARK. An introduction to the role of the Natural Park (including vulcanism) in local peoples’ live and the impact they have on the Natural Park and its work.
+ info: DVL Tourism Human Impact

2. LA GARROTXA AS AN EXAMPLE OF TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT. A detailed case study of the park’s role in local territorial management via a role-play aimed at generating debate regarding the many conflicting interests that the park’s management teams has to try and take into account.
+ info: DVL Tourism Territorial Management

ECO-SYSTEMS STUDY

On this day, students can complete a comparison study of the vegetation on the northern and southern slopes of Santa Margarida volcano; compare the kind of vegetation growing in a crater or simply observe the different species as you increase in altitude.

Each group will be provided with equipment to carry out the investigations if required (clinometer, Ph meter, thremometer, psychrometer) or alternatively you can visit a nearby beech forest growing in a lava flow.