Teide (28.3N, 16.6W) is
the third largest volcano on Earth. Like Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea (the first
and second largest volcanoes), Teide is a *shield volcano. Elevation at
the summit of the volcano is 12,188.3 feet (3,715 m). The most recent eruption
was on the northwest flank of the volcano in 1909.
The volcano and its surrounds,
including the whole of the caldera, are protected in a national park, the
Parque Nacional del Teide. Access is by a public road running across the
caldera from northeast to southwest; a parador (hotel) is also within the
National Park. A cable car (Teleférico Teide) goes from the roadside
at 2356 m most of the way to the summit, reaching 3555 m. Access to the
summit itself is restricted; a permit (obtainable from the Park office
in Santa Cruz) is required to climb the last 200 m.
Teide is also noted for
a large number of endemic plants, including Cytisus supranubius (Retama
del Teide, a species of broom), Echium wildpretii (Tajinaste rojo, a spectacular
species of bugloss reaching 3 m tall), and Erysimum scoparium, a species
of wallflower. Lower down, the middle slopes from 1000–2000 m are clothed
with forests of Pinus canariensis (Pino Canario or Canary Island Pine).
*Shield Volcano: A gently
sloping volcano built almost exclusively of lava flows. |
