Early science and colossal stone engineering in Menga, a Neolithic dolmen (Antequera, Spain).

Megaliths represent the earliest form of monumental stone architecture. The earliest megalithic chambers in Europe appeared in France in the fifth millennium BCE. Menga is the oldest of the great dolmens in Iberia (approximately 3800 to 3600 BCE).

Impacts of a newly formed lava delta on the marine environment: Lava-induced upwelling and abrupt chlorophyll depletion during the Tajogaite eruption (La Palma, 2021).

The 2021 Tajogaite eruption in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) emitted vast volumes of lava during 85 days, which reached the ocean in several occasions at the western flank of the island. Most of these flows merged to create a primary lava delta, covering an area of 48 ha, with an additional 30 ha underwater. Here we characterize the effects of the lava-seawater interaction on the surrounding marine environment.

Unveiling the inherent physical-chemical dynamics: Direct measurements of hydrothermal fluid flow, heat, and nutrient outflow at the Tagoro submarine volcano (Canary Islands, Spain).

Tagoro is one of the few submarine volcanoes in the world that has been monitored since its early eruptive stage in 2011 to present day. After six multidisciplinary oceanographic cruises conducted between 2014 and 2023 to gather a comprehensive dataset of georeferenced video-imagery and in situ measurements of hydrothermal flow velocities and hydrothermal fluid samples, we provide a robust characterization of the ongoing hydrothermal fluid velocity, heat flux, and nutrient release, along with an accurate delimitation of the hydrothermal field area. Our results reveal that Tagoro hydrothermal system extends from the main hydrothermal crater up to the summit, covering an area of 7600 m.

Beneath the water column: Uncovering microplastic pollution in the sublittoral coastal sediments of the Canary Islands, Spain.

Marine ecosystems pollution by microplastics (MPs) is a global problem of special concern. The present study examines the prevalence and distribution of MPs and cellulosic particles in sublittoral coastal sediments of the Canary Islands archipelago (Spain). At twenty-six different locations alongside seven islands, three samples were taken parallel to the shoreline between 1 and 10 m depth (n = 78).

The provenance of the stones in the Menga dolmen reveals one of the greatest engineering feats of the Neolithic.

The technical and intellectual capabilities of past societies are reflected in the monuments they were able to build. Tracking the provenance of the stones utilised to build prehistoric megalithic monuments, through geological studies, is of utmost interest for interpreting ancient architectures as well as to contribute to their protection. According to the scarce information available, most stones used in European prehistoric megaliths originate from locations near the construction sites, which would have made transport easier.