.jpeg)
I remember watching volcanoes erupting and molten lava oozing out and more such documentaries on Discovery and National Geographic channel on the tele as a kid and always was intrigued and fascinated with what Earth offers us, Geology as it is - an interesting subject, besides I am a superlative fan of Astronomy and Astrophysics, still no doubt on admiring the wonders of Earth and the geological formations, my other favourite - Grand Canyon! (A marvellous natural artistic beauty)
Surprised to know that this volcanic activity at Timanfaya still continues at Lanzorete. The Park is a protected area surrounded by volcanoes and covered with lava surface, Timanfaya’s temperature in the core ranges from 100 to 600 °C at the depth of about 13 metres, which was demonstrated by pouring water into the ground which erupted a geyser of steam.
Was taken a back to see tons and tons of chunks of ashes from the molten lava dried out and the delta of lava patterns left behind, undisturbed, untouched, definitely a mind boggling formation to see, where the whole range of mountains and surrounding areas are covered with gorgeous volcanic black soil and some mountains are a formation of a rusty red soil, which I think of is different minerals mainly ferrous oxide which have been spit out during the eruption 🌋
So educational especially for kids, makes them think beyond, witness something real - one such wonders of the Earth.
While I speak I am already imagining the actual volcano and eruption, how it affected the civilisation at Lanzorete who experienced this in the 18th - 19th century.. the tour guide did a great job explaining about how the locals felt and how the whole thing was recorded and the most interesting part was the story of the devil of Timanfaya - a bride groom to be, was about to get married and the eruption started filling the place with ash and smoke and wanting to save the bride which was futile as she died in the eruption site, he ran around carrying a 5 pronged fork for help and disappeared in thin air as the ashes covered the scene…and the villagers thought he was the fire devil, with a big fork, carrying the volcano flames on his head and so on... The story is more likely to be a humorous reference to the hellish landscape and heat of Timanfaya than a reference to a legend.
As per the original records none of the civilians were hurt and the irony is they all called the ferocious fire mountain a good one!
The lava craters and the ashes have been supporting Aloe Vera plantation, which is quite famous as the localities use the soil and crater pattern to grow aloe and vineyards…
I am still in that transcend state of imagination of volcanic eruption which happened at the 18th-19th century and my research on the internet continues about other volcanic eruptions!
Definitely worth the visit and having Geologists guide you !
Highly recommend this tour if you’d visit Lanzorete or any Canary Islands.
