Why volcanic origins?
The Azores archipelago is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The latter, in the middle of the ocean, is one of the most active seismic and volcanic areas on Earth. When this shell cracks, the earth trembles and the soils are in turmoil. The 9 islands are close to the junction of several major tectonic plates (the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate), which explains the volcanic dynamics. It is also what is known as the Azores hot spot, it is at the origin of the creation of the archipelago. The volcanoes of the Azores are still active and even if their vigour may seem latent, it is beautiful and very present. In 1957, a volcano erupted out of nowhere on Faial, destroying a village! The last earthquake on the island was in 1998 and the last underwater eruption shook the Serreta volcano off Terceira in 1999-2000.
Kaleidoscopes of volcanic landscapes
Today, this volcanic activity is responsible for the diversity of landscapes you'll encounter on the archipelago's 9 islands. From the heart of the land to the coastline, the footprints of this tumultuous past are ever-present. Lava flows have sometimes reached the sea, giving way to black sand beaches and bare rock overlooking the immense ocean. Apocalyptic yet magical scenery. Inside, the earth is alive, quivering with fumaroles, pulsating with geysers and bubbling with mud pools. Hot springs are the blessing of this volcano country, and lava flows have sculpted fantastic caverns. At Pico, for example, an immense magma tunnel with a collapsed entrance allows visitors to descend into the heart of the flow. Also on the island of Terceira, Algar do Carvão is a cave where you can penetrate right into the heart of an ancient volcano chimney. In Flores, magnificent waterfalls tumble from the calderas into the heart of the jungle. The panoramas are endless, each more beautiful than the last.
The archipelago according to Nemésio
This Portuguese writer, born on the island of Terceira, perfectly illustrated the Azores and its volcanic nature: "The Azores life does not spiritually date back to the colonization of the islands; it projects itself further into a telluric past, which geologists will convert into time, if that is their wish. As men, we are historically linked to the people from whom we come, and we are rooted in the environment of hills and valleys of lava whose entrails exhale an emanation that penetrates us. For us, geography has the same meaning as history, and it is not without reason that our written records record fifty percent of earthquakes and tidal waves. Like mermaids, our nature is twofold: flesh and stone. Our bones sink into the depths of the sea". And it is everywhere, on every island, in every nook and cranny, that this environment takes on its mantle of lava and sulphur dust, its explosive and fiery personality. Let's set off on a short (non-exhaustive) itinerary of places not to be missed, volcanically speaking!
At Pico, the highest point
At Pico, the peak of the volcano stands out against the azure sky, reflected in the lake that acts as a mirror. All around are shades of green and cows! Ponta do Pico is Portugal's highest point at 2,351 metres. Its perfect volcanic cone beckons you to approach it. It's a beautiful climb that awaits you, and the panorama is breathtaking on a clear day. At the top, you'll appreciate the rusticity of the lava fields, which the locals call "cookie land" because of their irregular crusty appearance. The cliffside houses are built of volcanic stone and bear witness to the ingenuity of the locals in using what surrounds them, which characterizes their island. The volcanic soils are ideal for growing vines: the production of Verdelho de Pico has intensified in recent years, proving once again that the vagaries of Azorean nature are also a force to be reckoned with if you know how to use them.
In São Miguel, the fumaroles of Furnas Lake and Sete Cidades Lake
The island of São Miguel offers several spots worth visiting. First ofall, there is the Furnas Lake and its phantasmagorical atmosphere. The ground smokes everywhere, the water gushes out and the smell of sulfur attacks the nostrils! Twenty-two natural springs for medicinal purposes. Take the time to take a break and swim in one of these hot, sulphurous pools. On the west side of the island, there is Sete Cidades and its majestic calderas. These are the sign of the collapse of the heart of a volcano. When the upper part of the volcano collapses, the crater opens up into a vast gap called a caldera. In the Azores, they fill with water of supernatural colours and create breathtaking lakes. Sete Cidades is one of São Miguel's tourist highlights and offers a plunging view of two twin calderas filled with turquoise water. Finally, in the centre of the island, don't miss the lakes of the Fogo crater.
Faial, Flores and Corvo are not left out
Each island bears witness to its volcanic character in its own way. In the central Azores, on Faial, the Capelinhos volcano was born in 1957! That's just over 64 years ago. Anything is still possible, as the country is constantly evolving and its sites constantly changing. The Capelinhos volcano and its horizon of ash desert are impressive. In the western Azores, the crater lakes resemble landscapes in Auvergne or Scotland, and are perfect for hiking and walking. In Flores, the Morro Alto mountain, the island's highest point, is a majestic place where nature reigns supreme and where the panorama is sure to leave no one indifferent. In Corvo, the imposing Caldeirão crater is the main attraction of this small piece of land. Around 300 metres deep and with a perimeter of over 3,400 metres, this natural wonder is home to two superb lakes. No island is to be overlooked, each bringing its own surprises, color and wonder.
