World Heritage Volcanoes a Thematic Study
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World Heritage Convention IUCN World Heritage Studies 2009 Number 8 World Heritage Volcanoes A Thematic Study IUCN Programme on Protected Areas A Global Review of Volcanic World Heritage Properties: Present Situation, Future Prospects and Management Requirements IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature Founded in 1948, IUCN brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-govern- mental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 1000 members in all spread across some 140 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to infl uence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. A central Secretariat coordinates the IUCN Programme and serves the Union membership, representing their views on the world stage and providing them with the strategies, services, scientifi c knowl- edge and technical support they need to achieve their goals. Through its six Commissions, IUCN draws together over 10,000 expert volunteers in project teams and ac- tion groups, focusing in particular on species and biodiversity conservation and the management of habitats and natural resources. The Union has helped many countries to prepare National Conservation Strategies, and demonstrates the application of its knowledge through the fi eld projects it supervises. Operations are increasingly decentralized and are carried forward by an expanding network of regional and country offi ces, located principally in developing countries. IUCN builds on the strengths of its members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global levels. This study is produced as part of IUCN’s role as advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention on natural heritage. IUCN Programme on Protected Areas Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland Switzerland www.iucn.org/wcpa © June 2009 Cover Image: June 1996 eruption of Mt Ruapehu, which is one of four andesitic volcanoes in New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage Cultural Landscape. © Harry Keys World Heritage Volcanoes: Thematic Study Global Review of Volcanic World Heritage Properties: Present Situation, Future Prospects and Management Requirements Author: Chris Wood IUCN Programme on Protected Areas Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland Switzerland www.iucn.org/wcpa © June 2009 Acknowledgements This report has benefi ted from research of databases undertaken with the assistance of Jessica Roberts. In addition, thanks are extended to a number of external reviewers of this document. Nevertheless, any errors or inaccuracies remain the sole responsibility of the author. Disclaimer The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect those of IUCN or its partners. This publication has been made possible in part by funding from the UNESCO World Heritage Fund. IUCN and other participating organizations disclaim any errors or omissions in the translations of this document from the original version in English. Table of Contents Summary ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................3 The purpose of the study ...................................................................................................................................5 Defi ning the scope of the study .........................................................................................................................7 What is a volcanic World Heritage property? ......................................................................................7 What is an active volcano? .................................................................................................................8 Volcanoes are complex constructions ...............................................................................................11 Chemical change in the magma chamber.........................................................................................11 Degraded volcanic cones and domes ...............................................................................................11 Exposed intrusive forms ....................................................................................................................11 Hydrothermal phenomena and solfataric fi elds .................................................................................13 Volcanoes on the ocean fl oors ..........................................................................................................13 Summary of scope of study...............................................................................................................14 Volcanoes and volcanic features on the World Heritage List ..........................................................................15 Types of volcanic World Heritage properties .....................................................................................16 Number of Holocene volcanoes in World Heritage properties ..........................................................17 Archaeological sites and settlements periodically buried by volcanic deposits ................................18 Atolls and reef-fringed islands ...........................................................................................................18 Technical framework for gap analysis..............................................................................................................19 Genetic classifi cation ........................................................................................................................19 Styles of eruption ..............................................................................................................................20 Plate tectonic setting .........................................................................................................................21 Classifi cations of volcanic landforms ................................................................................................25 Conclusion: a framework for gap analysis ........................................................................................26 Identifying the gaps .........................................................................................................................................27 Gaps in the range of volcanic World Heritage properties ..................................................................27 Missing iconic volcanoes...................................................................................................................31 Filling the gaps ................................................................................................................................................32 Requirements for integrity and management that should apply to sites with volcanic geology .......................33 Meeting the condition of Integrity ......................................................................................................33 Example 1 - Jeju Volcanic Island, Republic of Korea ........................................................................34 Example 2 - Teide National Park, Tenerife, Spain .............................................................................35 Site management .............................................................................................................................36 Education and interpretation .............................................................................................................37 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................................37 Risk management and contingency planning ...................................................................................39 Conclusions and Recommendations ...............................................................................................................41 Annexes Annex 1: List of Figures ....................................................................................................................43 Annex 2: List of Tables .....................................................................................................................44 Annex 3: Data Sources ...................................................................................................................45 Annex 4: References ........................................................................................................................46 Annex 5: Glossary ............................................................................................................................47 Annex 6: Table 1 Properties with volcanic geology on the World Heritage List ................................52 Annex 7: Table 2 Properties with volcanic geology on the Tentative Lists........................................58