SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, in a region known as Macaronesia, 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Morocco. The archipelago consist of seven islands including (from largest to smallest in area) Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro - and many smaller islands and islets. The climate is tropical and desertic, moderated by the sea and in summer by the trade winds. There are a number of microclimates - the classifications range from semi-arid to desert.
Volcanic oceanic islands, such as the Canary Islands, form in deep parts of the oceans. The seven main Canary Islands originated as separate submarine seamount volcanoes on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Each seamount, built up by the eruption of many lava flows, eventually became an island. Subaerial volcanic eruptions continued on each island. The Canary Islands differ from other volcanic oceanic islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands, in several ways – e.g., the Canary Islands have strato-volcanoes, compression structures and a lack of subsidence.
Publication related to this expedition include:
Alshuth, S. 1992. Happy island - Gran Canaria. (German – Text and Photography). kosmos 6, 62-69.
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![Black sand fishing village in Ajuy - the main fishing activities of the Canary Islands are coastal artisanal fishing. Black sand fishing village in Ajuy - the main fishing activities of the Canary Islands are coastal artisanal fishing.](images/canary-islands/76 2_g9it1.png)
![Lime urchin Diadema populations are overabundant due to overexploitation of its predators - scouring seabeds of algae. Lime urchin Diadema populations are overabundant due to overexploitation of its predators - scouring seabeds of algae.](images/canary-islands/IMG_6267_g9it10.png)
![Angel sharks have received full protection in the Canary Islands - one of few remaining locations with a substantial population. Angel sharks have received full protection in the Canary Islands - one of few remaining locations with a substantial population.](images/canary-islands/Screen Shot 2020-05-10 at 9.23.57 AM_g9it11.png)
![Dr. Alshuth at Barranco de los Encantados - sedimentary rocks and caves near northern Fuerteventura's Lajares Village Dr. Alshuth at Barranco de los Encantados - sedimentary rocks and caves near northern Fuerteventura's Lajares Village](images/canary-islands/77_g9it12.png)
![Fishing boats in Ajuy - coastal artisanal fishing for small pelagic species, demersal fish,and tuna. Fishing boats in Ajuy - coastal artisanal fishing for small pelagic species, demersal fish,and tuna.](images/canary-islands/79_g9it13.png)
![Salt tolerant Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). Succulent with glistening bladder cells - sparkle like ice crystals.
Salt tolerant Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). Succulent with glistening bladder cells - sparkle like ice crystals.](images/canary-islands/87 2_g9it16.png)
CANARY ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO
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