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The islands of La Palma and El Hierro form the western end of the hotspot-induced Canary Islands chain. Both islands are at present in the earliest and fastest shield-building stage of growth and show many similarities with the Hawaiian Islands. La Palma shows two very distinct phases of volcanic construction: (1) a Pliocene submarine volcanic and intrusive series, interpreted as an uplifted seamount at least 1500 m above present sea level, and (2) a subaerial volcanic series erupted in the past 2 m.y. Taburiente volcano initially formed the northern part of the island and then extended to the south, forming a ridge (Cumbre Nueva Ridge) that was partially destroyed about 560 ka by a giant lateral collapse (the Cumbre Nueva collapse), possibly involving 180–200 km³ of subaerial volcanic material. The northwest boundary of the Cumbre Nueva collapse formed a vertical scarp that, enlarged by headward …