Category: Nature > Lagoon
District: Açores > Corvo > Corvo > Caldeirão
Lagoa do Caldeirão occupies the heart of Corvo Island, the smallest in the Azores archipelago, situated in its central and northern area. This unique lagoon is located within the enormous crater of the volcano that shaped the island, dominating the landscape with its imposing presence. For visitors to Corvo, the Caldeirão is the most distinctive geographical feature and an unavoidable natural landmark.
The history of Lagoa do Caldeirão dates back to the formation of Corvo Island, which began approximately 1 to 1.5 million years ago, through eruptions that built this volcanic giant. The lagoon occupies the interior of a vast collapse caldera, resulting from the sinking of the volcano's summit, making it the second largest volcanic crater in the Azores. This remarkable geological formation has an average diameter of two kilometers, and the surface of the lagoon is approximately 300 meters deep when measured from the crater rim.
Inside Lagoa do Caldeirão, the landscape is intensely green, dotted with several small islands and volcanic cones emerging from the water. The size of the lagoon and the arrangement of these small reliefs can vary slightly with rainfall, sometimes creating the illusion of smaller, interconnected lagoons. A local legend, rich in symbolism, suggests that these cones represent the nine islands that make up the Azores archipelago, adding a cultural layer to its natural beauty.
Lagoa do Caldeirão and its surroundings are an area of high ecological value. They are part of the Special Protection Zone of the Coast and Caldeirão of Corvo Island, a classification aimed at preserving its rich biodiversity. This location is home to important communities of flora and fauna, including endemic species and migratory birds that find refuge here. It is also a vital wetland for regulating the island's hydrological system, and Corvo, in its entirety, has been distinguished by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, underscoring the balance between humans and nature in this territory.
Visiting Lagoa do Caldeirão offers a truly immersive nature experience. Due to its altitude and position, it is common for the crater to sometimes be shrouded in clouds, which can drastically alter visibility and the perception of the site. These mutable atmospheric conditions create a mystical and ever-changing atmosphere, allowing visitors to contemplate the lagoon from various perspectives, from wide and unobstructed views to more intimate and mysterious scenarios, where the fog lends a particular serenity to the landscape.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.7110697,-31.1107752
Coordinates DMS: 39°42'39.9"N 31°06'38.8"W
Weather Corvo
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