Assessment and modelling of lava flow hazard on Lanzarote (Canary islands)

This paper presents an evaluation of the lava flow hazard on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) by means of a probabilistic maximum slope model. This model assumes that the topography plays the major role in determining the path that a lava flow will follow. The area selected for containing future emission centres has been chosen taking into account the characteristics of the recent eruptive activity and the present activity of the island. The results of the simulations constitute hazard maps whose values at each point represent the probability of being covered by lava. These results are qualitatively analysed to provide some indication of the risk to the lifelines (electricity, drinking water etc.) of the island.