Advances in hydrogeological knowledge of the island of El Hierro (Canary islands) through the construction of a 3D geological model

Due to the critical importance of groundwater in the Canary Islands, it is essential to understand and properly manage the water resources of these regions. Modelling of aquifer systems now provides valuable geoscientific information for their identification, protection and sustainable use. By means of a geological modelling procedure, using the GeoModeller programme, the first 3D geological model of the volcanic island of El Hierro has been produced. The 3D model was created from the Digital Terrain Model, geological maps, geological sections and lithological data from hydraulic works. Eleven formations covering the entire island have been identified, allowing the description and interpretation of the main hydrogeological units and known geological structures relevant to the regional scale. This 3D geological model will serve as the basis for developing, using the FEFLOW code, the first hydrogeological and geothermal model of the island, allowing progress to be made in the sustainability of the island's aquifers.