Astronaut training Lanzarote

ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer communicates with planetary scientists to discuss interesting geological sampling sites during the first ESA Pangaea training course in 2016.

On field trips in the Mars-like landscape of Lanzarote, one of the Spanish Canary Islands, a crew of astronauts, planetary scientists and engineers interpret geological features to understand the island formation. The goal is to help astronauts identify the best places to explore and collect rock samples.

Lanzarote was chosen for this course because of its geological similarity with Mars, such as a volcanic origin, mild sedimentary processes owing to a dry climate a well-preserved landscape. The image shows the Tinguatón area in the Natural Park of the Volcanoes.