Wildtalk archives

Wildtalk Spain # 114: Volcano park and astronomy of Canaries

Wildtalk Spain, an email newsletter from www.wild-spain.com
12 July 2007 - Issue 114


------- News Briefs

. La Palma opens giant eye on the sky -
The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is a 10.4 metres primary mirror
reflecting telescope in Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Canary
Islands. It is designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and,
when it enters service this week, it will be one of the most advanced
telescopes in the world. The construction of the telescope lasted 7
years and cost 130m euros. The Canary Islands are one of the "astronomy
heavens" of our planet, together with places such as the Chilean Andes and
the Hawaiian Islands. GranTeCan, a Spanish project with a small
collaboration by institutes from Mexico and Florida, is the latest and
greatest addition to a array of amazing instruments. Date: July 12, 2007
Source: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (+ others)

. Golden cup corals found near city of Cádiz -
Large colonies of golden cup corals (Astroides calycularis) have been
discovered just offshore from the city of Cádiz. This vulnerable species is
found only in the south-western Mediterranean, on shaded rocks down to 40
metres, but had never been recorded so far west. The new colonies form
continuous orange-coloured belts, formations which are not uncommon in the
Granada and Almería populations, but were thought not to exist on the Cádiz
coastline. Date: July 02, 2007 Source: El Mundo

. Teide listed as UNESCO world heritage site -
Teide National Park, on the island of Tenerife, has been listed as a UNESCO
world heritage site for "its beauty and its importance in providing evidence
of the geological processes that underpin the evolution of oceanic islands".
The park covers 18,990 ha and features the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano
that, at 3,718 m, is the highest peak in Spain. Standing 7,500m above the
ocean floor, it is regarded as the world's third tallest volcanic structure
and is situated in a spectacular environment. The visual impact of the site
is all the greater due to atmospheric conditions that create constantly
changing textures and tones in the landscape and a 'sea of clouds' that
forms a visually impressive backdrop to the mountain. Date: July 02, 2007
Source: UNESCO

. Construction continues to destroy coasts, says Greenpeace -
The construction industry "robs Spain's coastlines of the equivalent of
three football pitches every day", states a new Greenpeace report. The
report says that within the last 12 months councils have projected the
building of nearly 3 million homes in coastal areas, plus 202,250 hotel
rooms, 316 golf courses and 112 marinas. Worst affected by building is
Galicia, the Canary islands and the south and south-eastern coasts of the
mainland. Most worrying, says Greenpeace, is the tendency towards a faster,
not slower, building rate. Date: July 02, 2007 Source: El Mundo

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------- Latest questions [ Check out answers and/or share your knowledge ]

Lammergeyer in Cazorla
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1991
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Rattlesnakes in Spain
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1985
Where to trek in July
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1983
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http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1980


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