Tenerife is the largest island of Canary Islands which is surrounded by Mount Teide. Teide is a volcano and it was last erupted in 1904. Here are 10 things you would like to know about Tenerife Volcano.
1. The formation of Las Cañadas Caldera
https://twitter.com/SotaventoTNRF/status/740868610332184577
Teide is a stratovolcano surrounded by the Las Canadas caldera which is 7-12 miles (12-20 km) in diameter and partial filled by Montana Blanca, Pico Viejo (which has a large explosion crater), and Pico de Teide.
2. Still an active volcano
¿Qué tendrá el mirador de Pico Viejo que hace que los atardeceres sean tan mágicos? https://t.co/OEO7h3vgGQ #Teide pic.twitter.com/FXCuVUwahL
— Volcano Teide (@VolcanoTeide) June 11, 2016
Teide is 3718 meters high and is the highest mountain in Spain. It is also the world’s third largest ocean island volcano and is still active! Although the last eruption occurred in 1909. However, it is still an active volcano and isn’t dead yet.
Information
- Name: Teide
- Last eruption: November 18, 1909
- Prominence: 3,718 m
- Listing: Ultra-prominent peak
- Province: Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
3. Traditional belief
According to the traditional beliefs of the Canary Island aboriginals, Guayota, the devil, lived inside Teide (hell), and he kidnapped the god of light and sun, Magec and took him down inside Teide. The Guanches asked Achamán – their supreme god – for mercy, and he managed to defeat Guayota, rescue Magec from the bowels of Teide and plug up the crater. It is believed that the whitish plug that Achamán put in place is the last cone of the volcano, forming Teide.
4. Third largest volcano
Teide is the third largest volcano in the world. El Teide on Tenerife after Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. It is 3,718-metre high which lies in the Canary Islands and is the highest point in Spain.
5. Origin of the name
Before the original name of Teide, the native Gaunches used to call the volcano Echeyde which means hell in the legendary name. Later on, the volcano was referred as El Pico del Teide or simply Teide which is the modern Spanish name.
6. Potential Eruption
According to recent research, the volcanic mountain will probably erupt violently in the near future because its structure is very similar to other volcanic mountains. The volcanic eruption may cause mega Tsunami and drastic loss in the future.
7. Major Climbs
No, I haven’t lifted this picture from Google images.#Teide #OnHoliday pic.twitter.com/fYIyC3Dc1n
— T For Short (@T_ForShort) June 5, 2016
On his journey of uncovering, Christopher Columbus evidently saw the 1492 eruption of Mount Teide with his own eyes when he was hiking past Tenerife in 1992. Various other discoveries and live finding have been reported by different explorers like Sir Edmund Scory, English traveler J. Edens and his party, Hans Heinrich Joseph Meyer, etc.
8. Used for scientific purpose
Tenerife offers a beautiful Teide National park which is also a useful volcanic reference point for studies relating to Mars because of its similar structure and environmental conditions. Various researches have been made for the discovery of life on Mars and testing new robots vehicles. Still this place is used for scientific references.
Information
- Name: Teide National Park
- Address: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Area: 189.9 km²
- Province: Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Phone: +34 922 92 23 71
- Established: 1954
9. The World Heritage Site
This Tenerife volcano and the areas of the land surrounds directly making up the famous Teide National Park. This place was officially declared World Heritage site on 28th of June, 2015. Almost 3 million tourists come to visit every year in this place. The site is preserved and protected strictly by its local people and staffs.
10. Astronomical Observatory
Tenerife Observatory also known as Teide Observatory is an astronomical observatory located on Mount Teide which is operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. Various solar, radio, microwave telescopes, night-telescopes are used to observe different astrology. It is probably the largest astrological observatory in the world.
Information
- Name: Teide Observatory
- Address: C/ Vía Láctea, S/N, 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Province: Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Phone: +34 922 32 91 10
- Organization: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Have a good trip and travel!
