A volcanic eruption changed the relief of the Las Vegas area
After the Castilian conquest, the water and fertile land of Las Vegas boosted the settlement of the population, but is there a secret ingredient behind such fertility?
From the subhistoric eruption of La Arena Mountain, located some 8 kilometres above, a huge basaltic lava flow formed an extensive black “aa” type of badlands. The lava flow was channelled through the pre-existing ravines until it reached the sea and modified the relief of Las Vegas, creating a relatively flatter area.
Volcanoes are a danger to the population, but they also provide extraordinary fertility to the fields. In this case, the basaltic minerals from the eruption provided important essential elements to the soil. The fertility of Las Vegas is directly connected to its particular volcanic origin.