What kind of volcanoes are in the Azores?

The conical Pico stratovolcano occupies the western end of Pico Island and is the highest volcano in the Azores. The dominantly basaltic edifice lies west of on an older linear volcano with numerous flank cones that forms most of the 46-km-long island.

Are there any volcanoes in the Azores?

Volcanoes in the Azores Just in this archipelago, there are 26 active volcanoes, 8 of which are underwater. The first ever recorded eruption was at Furnas Volcano between 1439 and 1443, its final stage coinciding with the settlement of São Miguel Island.

When was the last volcanic eruption in the Azores?

1957
The last volcanic eruption on land in the Azores was in 1957, on Faial Island. An earthquake on the same island in 1998 killed 10 people.

Why is Mt Pinatubo’s eruption considered a Plinian style?

Pinatubo is a stratovolcano in the Philippines. June 15, 1991, it erupted, resulting in the second-largest eruption of the 20th century. The ash plume height reaching more than 40 km (28 mi) high and ejecting more than 10 km3 of magma, classifying it as plinian/ultra plinian eruption style and VEI 6 in eruption size.

Is Azores a volcanic island?

Sao Jorge, one of nine islands that make up the Azores, is home to about 8,400 people and is part of the archipelago’s central group, which includes the popular tourist destinations of Faial and Pico, which are also volcanic.

Where is the volcano in Azores?

The Capelinhos (from Capelo + -inhos diminutive, which literally means “little cape”) is a monogenetic volcano located on the western coast of Faial Island in the Azores….

Are Azores volcanoes active?

São Miguel is the largest and most populated (>137,000 inhabitants) island of the Azores archipelago and comprises three trachytic central volcanoes that have been active during the Holocene: Sete Cidades, Fogo and Furnas. The summit of all three volcanoes is truncated by a caldera.

What type of volcanic eruption is Plinian?

The Plinian type is an intensely violent kind of volcanic eruption exemplified by the outburst of Mount Vesuvius in Italy in 79 ce that killed the famous Roman scholar Pliny the Elder and was described in an eyewitness account by his nephew, the historian Pliny the Younger.

Where do Plinian eruptions occur?

The 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii, Italy. It was the prototypical Plinian eruption. The 180 AD Lake Taupo eruption in New Zealand. The 1600 eruption of Huaynaputina in Peru.

Does Azores have earthquakes?

Volcanologists also keep an eye on soil gases and earthquakes’ depth. The São Jorge earthquakes are happening at average depths of 8-12 kilometres. If a significant number start occurring closer to surface, it might indicate an imminent eruption, according to neighbouring island Madeira.

Are there any volcanic eruptions in the Azores?

Another volcanic eruption at Sete Cidades, São Miguel. No specific information was recorded at the time. 1522: Considered the seminal disaster of the Azores, the 1522 Vila Franca earthquake and landslides occurred on 21–22 October 1522, that inundated and destroyed much of the provincial capital of Vila Franca do Campo, on the island of São Miguel.

What are the characteristics of a Plinian eruption?

Plinian eruptions are associated with volatile-rich dacitic to rhyolitic lava, and they typically erupt from stratovolcanoes. A Plinian eruption can continue for hours or days, sustaining a giant eruptive column. The thrust/force of the expanding gases results in the volcanic material being ejected at speeds of several hundred meters per second.

What natural disasters have happened in the Azores?

The following is a list of notable natural disasters have affected the Azores : Around 1432: First recorded famine in the Azores. 1439 – 1444 (undocumented): Volcanic eruption on São Miguel at Sete Cidades; details of the eruption were not recorded, not even the exact date of the event.

What was the first recorded famine in the Azores?

Around 1432: First recorded famine in the Azores. 1439 – 1444 (undocumented): Volcanic eruption on São Miguel at Sete Cidades; details of the eruption were not recorded, not even the exact date of the event.