Tenerife to Use La Palma Volcanic Ash for San Marcos Beach Restoration
The Canary Islands government has approved a project to regenerate Tenerife's San Marcos beach using 20,000 cubic meters of volcanic ash from La Palma’s Tajogaite eruption.
The regeneration of San Marcos beach in Icod de los Vinos is becoming a landmark project for the Canary Islands, blending volcanic waste management with the restoration of eroding coastlines. The Vice-Ministry of Infrastructure has received approval from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition to use ash from La Palma’s Tajogaite volcano to replenish the Tenerife beach.
This milestone, finalized on June 5, follows months of technical discussions with the Directorate General for the Coast and the Sea. Officials confirmed that the project does not require a simplified environmental impact assessment, as it will not harm the nearby marine protected areas, including the cliffs of Santo Domingo and the Roque de Garachico.
Technically, the project involves using 20,000 cubic meters of volcanic material to expand the beach by about 6,313 square meters. The government approved a method using a floating pipeline and light machinery to distribute the material, which is considered the least disruptive option for the marine ecosystem.
Infrastructure Vice-Minister Francis González highlighted that the plan, based on a 2023 technical study, is a practical example of a circular economy. If successful, it could serve as a model for other islands facing similar coastal erosion.
The project includes strict environmental safeguards, such as monitoring sediment levels and protecting local marine life, including turtles and cetaceans. The plan now moves to the local level: the Icod de los Vinos City Council has one month, starting September 1, to review the project’s urban compatibility. This timeline was chosen to ensure the work does not disrupt the peak summer tourist season.