Partner Event
Hybrid · Free
HOT Workshop Series
1st HOT Workshop
Volcanic Thermal Waters
Scientific Characterization and Emerging Therapeutic Evidence
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 • University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal • Online via Microsoft Teams
Date
Wednesday,
November 18, 2026
Time (Azores, UTC−1)
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Opening at 9:30 AM
Venue
North Auditorium, University of the Azores
Format
Hybrid
In person & online
Participation
Free of charge
Certificate of participation
Opening (9:30 AM Azores) in other time zones:
4:30 AM Mexico City | 5:30 AM New York / Bogotá | 6:30 AM Puerto Rico | 7:30 AM Brasília / Buenos Aires | 10:30 AM Lisbon (GMT) | 11:30 AM Madrid / Lagos | 6:30 PM Beijing
About the Workshop
The International Environmental & Health Sciences Consortium (IEHSC) is pleased to share an invitation from the HOT Project – Thermal Health: The Secrets of Volcanic Waters to its 1st Workshop, to be held at the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, with live online streaming.
The workshop brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and institutional stakeholders to explore the hydrogeochemistry, microbiological quality, and emerging therapeutic evidence associated with volcanic thermal waters. National and international experts in medical hydrology, thermal medicine, and environmental sciences will highlight the connections between medical geology, human health, and sustainable wellness tourism.
The organizers warmly invite the international medical geology community to join online.
Topics
Medical Hydrology
Hydrogeochemistry
Microbiology
Therapeutic Potential
Health & Well-being
Wellness Tourism
Sustainability & Territory
Program
All times are Azores local time (UTC−1).
9:00
Participant registration
9:30 – 10:00
Opening Session
Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso • University of the Azores • IVAR • DRCID • Verde Similar Termas
10:00 – 10:30
HOT Project Presentation
HOT – Thermal Water: The Secrets of Volcanic Waters
Dr. Diana Linhares (IVAR – FGF)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Scientific Session I – Characterization of Volcanic Thermal Waters
- Hydrogeochemical characterization of the volcanic thermal waters of São Miguel Island: compositional diversity and implications for balneotherapyProf. José Virgílio Cruz (IVAR – UAc)
- Microbiological quality of volcanic thermal waters on São Miguel Island: temporal variability and implications for balneotherapyProf. José António Machado Soares (CIBIO – UAc)
14:00 – 14:45
Keynote Lecture
Thermal Medicine and Clinical Evidence in Balneotherapy
Prof. Pedro Cantista (ULS Santo António, Porto)
14:45 – 15:30
Scientific Session II
Medical Hydrology and Thermal Medicine: European Perspectives
Prof. Francisco Maraver (Complutense University of Madrid)
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 – 16:30
Strategic Session
From Science to Territory: The Sustainable Potential of Volcanic Thermal Waters
Paulo Garcia and Ana Carvalho (Regional Directorate of Tourism, Azores)
16:30 – 17:30
Round Table
The Future of Volcanic Thermal Waters in the Azores: Science, Health and Sustainable Development
Moderator: Prof. Armindo dos Santos Rodrigues (IVAR – UAc)
17:30
Strategic Conclusions and Closing
Prof. Armindo dos Santos Rodrigues (IVAR – UAc)
Language: Presentations will be delivered in Portuguese, with slides in English.
Join Online – Microsoft Teams
Participation is free. Online attendees can join the workshop directly through the link below.
Meeting ID348 632 758 931 612 1
PasscodeSK2zJ3xV
Official event flyer (in Portuguese).
