Spain Chooses La Palma for National Volcanology Center
The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved the location for the future National Volcanology Center, with its physical headquarters to be established on the island of La Palma. This base will be complemented by the scientific and innovation ecosystem in Tenerife. Proposed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Energy, this decision finalizes a process begun in 2021 and establishes the Canary Islands as Spain’s new national and international reference point for volcanic risk research, analysis, and management.
A Strategic Hub for Global Volcanic Research
Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, welcomed the approval, highlighting the strategic importance of this infrastructure. “Today we resolve the location of a center requested for the Canary Islands in 2021, which will become a world reference for knowledge, scientific study, and risk prevention, as it is located in an area with active volcanism,” he stated.
Similarly, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, emphasized that the center will enable the integration of data, standardization of criteria, and reinforcement of coordination between the scientific community and public administrations, “acting as a technical reference for the entire country.” Morant noted that the consortium model with the Canary Islands guarantees a strong local connection and represents a commitment to decentralized science.
Location Process and Unique Volcanic Landscape
The National Volcanology Center was included in the 2023 State Budget, and its consortium will be formed with a 50% share held by the Spanish Government (through the Ministry of Science) and 50% by the Canary Islands Government. The selection of its location followed the procedure established in Royal Decree 209/2022. After the process began on September 2nd, the application period concluded on October 24th, with only one proposal received: a joint bid from the island councils of La Palma and Tenerife. A Consultative Commission endorsed this proposal on December 1st, recommending it to the Council of Ministers for final ratification.
The government particularly valued the fact that the Canary Islands are Spain’s only territory with active volcanism, boasting extensive experience in managing volcanic risk—including the recent Tajogaite eruption on La Palma in 2021. This reality makes the archipelago an ideal enclave for applied research, from both scientific and social perspectives.
Positioning Spain as an International Leader
According to the executive branch, La Palma offers a unique opportunity to consolidate Spain’s position as an international leader in the comprehensive management of volcanic phenomena. The center will promote scientific cooperation, knowledge exchange, and improved territorial resilience in volcanically active regions worldwide, leveraging the islands’ dramatic natural laboratory for global benefit.
