Mega Rockslides In Canary Islands: The Role of the Geomechanical Properties of the Submarine Rocks In the Stability of the Flanks of Tenerife

The failure mechanisms that could originate the mega paleo-rockslides of Guimar and La Orotava in Tenerife (Canary Islands) are analyzed, based on the geomechanical site investigations carried out on the pre-failure volcanic materials of Tenerife island flanks. Geological and geomorphological modelling and geomechanical characterization of the materials are presented. Hyaloclastites rocks are forming the submarine substratum of the island edifice presenting a highly deformable behaviour. Preliminary stability analyses have suggested potential failure surfaces in the hyloclastites rocks.