Topo Volcano

Topo Volcano
The volcano, seen northeast of Lajes do Pico
Highest point
Elevation1,002 m (3,287 ft)
Coordinates38°25′21″N 28°13′34″W / 38.42250°N 28.22611°W / 38.42250; -28.22611
Dimensions
Area18 km3 (4.3 cu mi) (subaerial)
Volume8 km3 (1.9 cu mi) (subaerial)
Geography
Topo Volcano is located in Pico
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano is located in Azores
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano (Azores)
Topo Volcano is located in Atlantic Ocean
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano
Topo Volcano (Atlantic Ocean)
Country Portugal
Geology
Age of rock300,000-10,000 years[1]
Mountain typeShield volcano
Type of rockAnkaramite[2]
Last eruption5,000-10,000 years ago[3]

Topo Volcano (Portuguese: Vulcão do Topo) is an inactive shield volcano located on Pico Island, Azores. The volcano measures 1,002 m (3,287 ft) in height and occupies the southernmost area of the island. It is part of the Lajes (or Topo) Volcanic Complex, the oldest volcanic apparatus which gave origin to the island, around 300,000 years ago. The volcano was created by a 600 m (2,000 ft) thick superposition of alternated Pāhoehoe lava flows and thin layers (10%) of pyroclastic material.[4][1][3][2]

The volcano can be seen in the centre, bordered by its lava delta (forming the Lajes Bay) to the right, and the volcanic complex of the Achada Plateau to the left

Its land area is approximately 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi) but its total area, accounting for the sea floor and the area that gave rise to the Achada Plateau, is estimated to be around 120 km2 (46 sq mi).[3]

  1. ^ a b "Vulcão do Topo (Pico)". pt.artazores.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Enciclopédia Açoriana". Cultura Açores (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Nunes, João C.; Lima, Eva A.; Fontiela, João (June 2006). "Caracterização geomorfológica e geológica da fajã lávica das Lages do Pico (Açores). Condicionantes e vulnerabilidades associadas". XII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia. 34. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  4. ^ Cruz, José V.; Silva, Manuel O. "Estudo do efeito de maré em aquíferos costeiros: O caso de estudo da ilha do Pico (Açores - Portugal)" (PDF). Retrieved 15 June 2021.