(Redirected from Ponta do Pico)
'Mount Pico' ('Ponta do Pico', in
Portuguese) is a
stratovolcano and the highest point on
Pico Island in the
Azores, a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of
Portugal. It reaches an altitude of 2,351 metres (7,713 ft) above sea level, which makes it the highest point in Portugal and also in the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Pico is more than twice the elevation of any other peak in the Azores.
A round
crater about 500 metres (1,600 ft) in diameter tops the volcano, with a small
volcanic cone rising within it to form the true summit. Historical
eruptions of Pico have occurred from vents on its flanks rather than the summit crater. In 1562–64, an eruption on the southeast flank produced
lava flows which reached the sea. Another flank eruption in 1718 also produced flows which reached the coast. The most recent eruption occurred in December 1720.
Hiking trails are available and the ascent to the summit can be made in around four hours from the trailhead.
References
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Volcanoes of Europe, , Alwyn, Scarth, Oxford University Press, ,
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Global Volcanism Program: Pico
External links
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Informational Website
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Pico - A Ilha Montanha Atlantica - Flickr Group
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Photo Gallery