Faneca Mudflat

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Açores > Vila do Porto > São Pedro > Barreiro da Faneca

Location

Barreiro da Faneca is located in the parish of São Pedro, in the municipality of Vila do Porto, on the idyllic island of Santa Maria, in the Azores. Situated at an altitude of around 200 meters above sea level, this place unfolds in a gently undulating landscape, with subtle slopes.

Its geographical position, in the area known as Barreiro da Faneca, contributes to a unique experience, as the area clearly distinguishes itself from the lush green typical of most of the archipelago, offering a remarkable visual contrast.

An Unexpected Landscape

Popularly known as the "Red Desert of the Azores", Barreiro da Faneca reveals an intense coloration, dominated by shades of yellow, red, and orange. This semi-desertic appearance is unusual for the Azores and gives the area an almost extraterrestrial aura, inviting contemplation and photography.

The terrain surface is arid and clayey, shaped by the continuous action of natural elements. The vibrant colors and peculiar texture of the soil create a striking scenery, distinct from any other landscape the visitor might find in the region.

Geological Origin

The uniqueness of Barreiro da Faneca lies in its fascinating geological history. This area corresponds to an ancient basaltic lava flow that, over millions of years, more precisely in the Pliocene (about 3 to 4 million years ago), was covered by volcanic ash and subjected to intense alterations. The warm and humid climate of the time favored the transformation of these rock formations into reddish clays, which we observe today.

Integrated into the geological unit of the "Feteiras Formation", which represents the most recent volcanism of Santa Maria island, Barreiro da Faneca is a geosite of national relevance. Its clayey composition, with a very reduced drainage capacity, makes it particularly susceptible to wind and water erosion, which sculpt small grooves and ravines on the surface, contributing to its peculiar physiognomy.

Natural Environment

Despite its arid appearance and the clayey soil that earned it the popular name "barreiro", this area has been experiencing a spontaneous increase in vegetation in recent decades. Currently, a large part of its extension is covered by various plant species.

Among the species that stand out in Barreiro da Faneca, it is possible to find Azorean endemisms such as urze (Erica azorica), pau-branco (Picconia azorica), malfurada, Scabiosa nitens, erva-leiteira, and other important ones like louro-da-terra and faia-da-terra. The presence of this resilient flora adds a layer of natural interest to this impressive geological landscape.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt