CIELO – La Gomera

About the research

In the CIELO project we address the following research questions:

  • How does climate affect the way dust chemically breaks down (weathering) once it lands in the soil? 
  • Does the weathered dust becomes part of newly formed minerals in the soil?
  • How much of the weathered dust contributes to nutrient cycles and the overall weathering of rock and soil material? 

La Gomera is an ideal “natural laboratory” to study the influence of dust input because the geology of the island is relatively uniform, it is volcanically inactive and it features a strong rainfall gradient from the coast to the island centre.

Topics

A dramatic photographic landscape of La Gomera’s steep, stepped terraces descending into a deep barranco, the stone walls and bare soil surfaces coated by a thin, light-toned dust layer that contrasts with the dark, underlying volcanic substrate. Sparse, hardy vegetation clings to the terrace edges, suggesting fragile soil development under harsh conditions. Low-angle late-afternoon sunlight grazes across the terraces, casting elongated shadows that reveal fine-scale surface roughness and subtle erosional patterns. Shot from a high vantage point with a wide-angle lens, the composition follows the curves of the valley into a softly hazy, dust-laden horizon. The atmosphere is contemplative and slightly austere, with crisp photographic realism and a professional, research-oriented aesthetic that highlights the geomorphological role of Staubeintrag in shaping the island’s landscapes.

Geology and climate

A close-up photographic scene of an exposed soil profile on La Gomera, cut into a dark volcanic slope, showing distinct horizons influenced by Staubeintrag. Fine, light-colored dust layers are clearly visible within the darker, weathered basalt-derived soil, forming thin, irregular bands and lenses. A sturdy metal soil auger and a clean measuring tape lie neatly on the rocky ground beside the profile, hinting at careful scientific sampling. Soft, diffused overcast light minimizes harsh shadows and reveals subtle color differences and textures in the soil aggregates. Shot at eye level with the profile filling most of the frame, the mood is precise, analytical, and professional, with photographic realism and a neutral, documentary style suitable for an educational research project website.

Study sites

A photographic top-down view of a portable field table set up on a stony plateau of La Gomera, surrounded by blurred volcanic ridges and deep barrancos in the background. On the table lie labeled sample bags filled with differently colored soils and dust, a rugged GPS receiver, a clean field notebook open to blank pages, and a simple, stylized map of the island without any text. Late-afternoon golden light bathes the scene, creating warm highlights on the instruments and subtle shadows on the rough tabletop. Captured with a shallow depth of field, the focus rests on the textures of dust and soil grains inside transparent bags. The mood is organized, methodical, and quietly adventurous, emphasizing ongoing research into Staubeintrag and Verwitterung.

Dust and rain samplers

A controlled photographic close-up of weathered basalt rock fragments collected from La Gomera, arranged in a neat row on a neutral, matte surface. Each fragment shows different degrees of chemical weathering influenced by dust input: some pieces retain sharp, dark, glassy surfaces, while others display reddish, crumbly rinds and thin, pale coatings of dust-derived material. Soft, even studio-style lighting from above eliminates harsh reflections and brings out micro-cracks, pits, and color variations on each rock. Captured from a slightly elevated angle with high resolution and sharp focus, the composition is centered and minimal, evoking a clean, professional laboratory documentation style. The mood is precise and analytical, ideal for illustrating the connection between Staubeintrag, Verwitterung, and the early stages of Bodenentwicklung.

Analytical methods

© Enric Rubio Ras, CC BY 2.0