The scientific and educational significance of geoparks as planetary analogues: the example of Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands UNESCO Global Geopark

The new discoveries on other moons and planets (e.g., Mars) are largely supported and guided by the geological knowledge obtained from the study of particular analogue localities on Earth. These planetary analogues show unique geological and environmental conditions, which approximate, in specific ways, to those possibly encountered on other celestial bodies, at the present time or earlier in their geological histories. Such discoveries enrich, through a feedback process, the features of interest of such terrestrial sites, and should be incorporated as innovative scientific and geoeducational aspects of interest to the general public. Many characteristics and particulars of some geoparks can be invaluable for future studies beyond our planet. In this conceptual frameworkk the present article aims to provide a general overview of studies into planetary analogues carried out in the Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands UNESCO Global Geopark (Canary Archipelago, Spain) and the results obtained, proposing this as a potential model to be followed by other geoparks.