Zumaya Shore

Transition between Cretaceous (right) and Palaeocene (left). These are well-represented turbidite sequences alternating thinly bedded sandstone and shale.

Photo: IGME

Mallos de Riglos

Oligocene conglomerates showing a typical morphology of clastic rocks after erosion, in vertical walls (up to 300 m high). They are proximal alluvial fans originated at the southern Pyrenean front as a result of the erosion of this chain. It is a very well known climbing spot.

Photo: IGME

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

Monte Perdido, one of the highest carbonate mountains in Europe, is located in the central part of the Alpine Massif of the Pyrenees. Glacial and periglacial cycles excavated deep U-shaped valleys in the Cretacean and Palaeocene carbonates of this area, like the Ordesa Valley.

Photo: IGME

Gredos y Tietar Valley

The Central System, a series of horsts and grabens that alternate along the mountainous chain, originated from the Alpine reactivation of big Hercynian fractures. This System crosses the central part of the Iberian Peninsula, affecting materials of different ages and geological environments (plutonic, metamorphic, sedimentary). The Central Massif of "Gredos" is the highest area, with a 2592 m high peak.

Photo: Silvino Castaño

Tablas de Daimiel National Park

The contact between the Western "La Mancha" aquifer (5500 km2) and less pervious Precambrian and Palaeozoic materials originates one of the most important wetlands in the semi-arid Central Spain, the National Park of "Las Tablas de Daimiel". Intensive use of groundwater caused significant water table depletion at the beginning of the 80s. At present the level of the water in the ponds must be maintained artificially.

Photo: Silvino Castaño

Torcal de Antequera

Preferential dissolution of these Jurassic carbonates, through horizontal sedimentary surfaces and vertical joints, originated a characteristic rocky labyrinth in the "Torcal of Antequera" (the Spanish word "torca" means doline).

Photo: Silvino Castaño

Rio Aguas Creek

One of the most notable examples of karstic landscapes in gypsum deposits in Spain is located in the "Aguas" River Basin (Almería), named the karst of "Sorbas". Cavities of 8 km long may be found in these Miocene gypsiferous deposits.

Photo: IGME

Teide National Park

The Teide, 3718 m high at only 13 km from the coast in Tenerife (the Canary Islands), is the highest peak in Spain. It is a stratovolcano located into a large caldera, named "Las Cañadas". The whole volcanic complex originated from lava and pyroclasts layers piled during 3,5 million years. It has suffered from different constructive and destructive episodes and is constituted of a great variety of volcanic rocks.

Photo: IGME