Vulcanism and Prehistory in the Massif central of France : an updated review.

Among the Massif Central, two areas are well known for their volcanic activity and their rich prehistoric heritage: The Grande Limagne, at foothill of The Chaine des Puys, where vulcanism interfered with human settlements, and the Velay with its huge basaltic fissural eruptions and its numerous phreatomagmatic features which determine specific landscapes. In the Grande Limagne, Late Glacial and Holocene volcanic activity of the Chaine des Puys had a severe impact on the plain evolution. Archaeological investigations demonstrate that a few Magdalenian and Mesolithic sites were directly affected by tephra falls. In Velay, fissuration and columnar jointing of basaltic lava flows played an active morphologic role during alteration and erosion. Lower and Middle Pleistocene vulcanism has determined lanscape characteristics which strictly control Middle and Upper palaeolithic settlements.