Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Geological and geotechnical conditions of human interventions
in natural volcanic caverns: The outfitting of “los Jameos del
agua” auditorium, lanzarote, canary islands, spain
c. olalla
Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
a. cárdenas
ENAC Ingenieros, Lanzarote Canary Islands, Spain
a. serrano
Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
e. Pradera & D. Fernández de castro
ICYFSA, Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
aBsTRacT: The possibility of using volcanic caverns associated with lava tubes is analysed accord-
ing to their geological and geomorphological configuration and their dimensions. each particular risk is
defined and studied by considering its threat. The different natural risks are grouped into four categories:
Group i: structural instability zones due to hanged strata or extremely low width levels at the top of
the cave. Group ii: Medium and large block instabilities. Group iii: small block instabilities. Group iV:
surface weathering and instabilities in rock particles (sand or gravel).
in this chapter this methodology is applied to the well-known auditorium of “los Jameos del agua”,
located in lanzarote. This volcanic island forms part of the canary archipelago. This volcanic tube is
visited by more than 800,000 people per year.
after an analysis of the different alternatives, the proposed technical solutions for each level of risk are
described and the results of some calculations are shown.
1
inTRoDUcTion
was closed for several years due to the instability
observed in the solid rock mass of which the cover-
ing arch is comprised.
This arch forms part of a recent volcanic tube,
originating in the la corona mountain the origin
The auditorium located within the naturally-
formed arch which is part of the “Jameos del agua”
complex to the north of the island of lanzarote
