Other natural resources in volcanic environments (balneology, soils...).

Convenors

Malcolm Cooper   Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University   Japan   Email: cooperm@apu.ac.jp Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez   University of La Laguna   Tenerife   Spain   Email: antororo@ull.es

Description

This session will focus on the importance of the volcanic natural resources for the society since "it should be emphasized that the short-term hazards posed by volcanoes are balanced by benefits of volcanism and related processes over geologic time" (Tilling, 1985)*. Areas with active and dormant volcanoes commonly feature natural hot springs and/or other geothermal resources (e.g. geysers, sinter terraces, mud pools) which have attracted visitors since the dawn of time. Geothermal springs are used for a number of purposes; largely for their beneficial effects on health and wellbeing. Natural resources of volcanic origin have been integrated in destination marketing as unique attractions and play an important role in different tourism sectors: health and wellness tourism, medical tourism, leisure and recreation, adventure tourism, or just plain sight seeing. In addition one additiional long-term effects of the volcanic deposits are to developed the richest agricultural lands on Earth becuase of the volcanic soils.