..
  Backward Forward
Europe   Spain   Canaries   Weather   Credits   LA.PALMA
 Home
 The island
 Accommodations
 Transports
 Activities
 Services
 Island Map
 Pictures
 Links
 Contact
 Members
  Home > The island > Nature > Geology
National Parks - Fauna - Flora - Geology
La Palma is of volcanic origin as the rest of the archipelago...
 
The island of La Palma is one of the highest islands in the world in proportion to its surface area. It is marked by three mountain ranges :
- the Caldera de Taburiente rim reaches heights of more than 2,000 metres, with its highest point, Roque de Los Muchachos, soaring to 2,426 m,
- the Cumbre Nueva ridge is part of the old island,
- the Cumbre Vieja ridge, formed more recently, reaches heights of up to 1,949 m.

This spectacular topography includes a dozen or so splendid peaks which are more than 2,000 m high.

Although the island is of recent formation, erosion has carved the landscape into impressive shapes, especially in the north. Older volcanic formations have been destroyed or modified, leaving a rugged landscape indicative of intense erosion.

The Caldera de Taburiente was initially a large dome that gradually became hollow as large masses of material collapsed to be washed away by the flow of water from Barranco de Las Angustias ravine. This is why sheer cliffs are often found: their foundations were undermined by erosion to such an extent that they collapsed.

The most recently formed part of the island is covered by malpaíses, volcanic land, with an abundance of cones. The relief is less abrupt but there are still steep slopes. The typical ravines are not found here.

In the older parts of the island beside the sea are impressive cliffs which are often more than 200 m high. Landslides give rise to the well known fajanas, strips of land formed at the feet of cliffs. Caves such as "Cueva Bonita" in Tijarafe are formed by the intense erosion of rock by strong waves. In the area where the most recent eruptions occurred many coves and black sand beaches have formed.

 

 

 

 

PageTop

 

Volcanic origin

The island of La Palma is formed by volcanoes. This has determined to a large extent its geological features, not only the composition of rocks and minerals but also the main morphological features. La Palma and El Hierro are the most recently formed islands in the archipelago.

Rising up from the bottom of the ocean in successive volcanic eruptions, there are three types of layers on La Palma:
- the basal rock strata from the oldest period is visible at the bottom of the Caldera.
- the Old Series corresponds to the period when Cumbre Nueva and the outer part of the Caldera were formed
- the New Series is present in the southern part of La Palma, in the Cumbre Vieja, at least in its higher layers.
This group of volcanoes is amongst the most active on the planet. Seven have erupted in recent times:

Tacande 1470 - 1492 Charco 1712
Tajuya-Jedey 1585 San Juan 1949
Martín 1646 Teneguía 1971
San Antonio 1677    


PageTop
  More information :
www.lapalmabiosfera.com/biosfera_ing/geografia/index.htm
PageTop
Turismo rural en Canarias ISO 9001 AENOR Asociación Turismo Rural
Isla Bonita (Administración)
Home - Acantur - Canarias - Tiempo
La Palma - La Gomera - El Hierro - Tenerife - Gran Canaria - Fuerteventura - Lanzarote
site map