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90-554: The national park is centered on Mount Teide , the highest mountain of Spain (3,718 meters high) in addition, the highest volcano in the Atlantic Ocean islands and the third highest volcano in the world from its base in the ocean floor (7.500 meters high). Pico Viejo , also included within the national park limits, is the second highest volcano in the Canary Islands with its 3,135 m peak. Mount Teide and Pico Viejo are

180-479: A Decade Volcano because of its history of destructive eruptions and its proximity to several large towns, of which the closest are Garachico , Icod de los Vinos and Puerto de la Cruz . Teide, Pico Viejo and Montaña Blanca form the Central Volcanic Complex of Tenerife. The volcano and its surroundings make up Teide National Park , which has an area of 18,900 hectares (47,000 acres) and

270-513: A shield volcano centered not far from Teide itself, with volcanic activity which endured to around 8.9 Mya. The volcanic activity then stopped, and the volcano underwent some collapses in the process of erosion. One new shield volcano formed between 6 and 5 Mya, more to the west, in Teno then another in Anaga , to the east, between 4.9 and 3.9 Mya. Together, these three shield volcanoes represent 90% of

360-515: A World Heritage Site. Teide National Park is also at the end of 2007, one of the 12 Treasures of Spain . Teide National Park is complementary to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park , this is mainly due to being in each of them represented the volcanic structures and forms less evolved magmas of such islands ( Hawaii ) and more evolved and differentiated (Teide). Moreover, Teide National Park shares similar scenic characteristics with

450-411: A break in the slope at around 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The volcano of Teide itself can be described as a volcanic cone 8 km (5.0 mi) in diameter at its base, with quite steep slopes, approximately 20 to 40° for a total volume of 150 to 200 km (36 to 48 cu mi). The summit is marked by a small volcanic cone, about 150 m (490 ft) high, named El Pitón , which has

540-522: A catastrophic landslide . Teide's base is situated in Las Cañadas crater (the remains of an older, eroded, extinct volcano) at a height of around 2,190 m (7,190 ft) above sea level. Teide is an active volcano : its most recent eruption occurred in late 1909 from the El Chinyero vent on the northwestern Santiago rift. The United Nations Committee for Disaster Mitigation designated Teide

630-556: A covering of bifid hairs, usually 25 ± 53cm × 2–3mm in size. The leaves are narrow and fixed. The lower leaves are broad and round with backwardly directed lobes, 50–80mm × 0.5–3mm. Stem leaves are linear, entire, growing whitish with 2-fid hairs; 21–43mm × 1.5–2mm. Flower clusters grow at intervals on short equal stalks along the stem, with bright yellow to red or pink bilateral flowers . Flowering occurs during spring and summer. One species, Erysimum semperflorens , native to Morocco and Algeria, has white flowers. The flowering part of

720-519: A disease of Brassicaceae . Growth is best in dry soils with very good drainage, and they are often grown successfully in loose wall mortar, hence the vernacular name. There is a wide range of flower color in the warm spectrum, including white, yellow, orange, red, pink, maroon, purple and russet. The flowers, appearing in spring, usually have a strong, pleasant fragrance. Wallflowers are often associated in spring bedding schemes with tulips and forget-me-nots . The cultivar 'Bowles's Mauve' has gained

810-583: A long history of use in traditional medicine. In Naturalis Historia by Pliny the Elder ( c.  77 ), Erysimum is classified as a medicinal rather than a food plant. Erysimum cheiri is described as a medicinal herb in De Materia Medica by Pedanius Dioscorides ( c.  70 ), which was the predominant European medical pharmacopeia for more than 1,500 years. Other medieval descriptions of medicinal herbs and their uses, including

900-421: A precursor to an eruption. Teide additionally is considered structurally unstable and its northern flank has a distinctive bulge. The summit of the volcano has a number of small active fumaroles emitting sulfur dioxide and other gases, including low levels of hydrogen sulfide . A scientific assessment in 2006, published in the journal Eos, observed that "in the past 30,000 years, eruptions have occurred at

990-419: A rate of only four to six per millennium, with a predominance (70%) of very low hazard, basaltic eruptions". The authors further commented that "the recent eruptive record, combined with the available petrological and radiometric data, provides a rather optimistic outlook on major volcanic hazards related to Teide and its rift zones, posing only very localized threats to the one million inhabitants of Tenerife and

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1080-518: A subspecies of kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus canariensis ). Three endemic reptile species are also found in the park – the Canary Island lizard ( Gallotia galloti galloti ), the Canary Island wall gecko ( Tarentola delalandii ), and the Canary Island skink ( Chalcides viridanus viridanus ). The only mammals native to the park are bats , the most common species of which is Leisler's bat ( Nyctalus leisleri ). Other mammals such as

1170-406: A summit crater 100 m (330 ft) in diameter and 30 m (98 ft) deep. A secondary cone, named Pico Viejo emerges on the western slopes of the main peak; its crater is much larger, with a diameter of 800 m (2,600 ft) and a depth of 140 m (460 ft). It rises to 3,414 m (11,201 ft), but with a low prominence , not more than 100 m (330 ft) higher than

1260-614: A wheelchair to reach 3,000 meters altitude with only the momentum of her arms. Initially, Gema wanted to reach the top of Teide, although, due to weather conditions, she could not meet this objective. The lava flows on the flanks of Teide weather to a very thin but nutrient- and mineral-rich soil that supports a wide variety of plant species. Vascular flora consists of 168 plant species, 33 of which are endemic to Tenerife. Forests of Canary Island Pine ( Pinus canariensis ) with Canary Island juniper ( Juniperus cedrus ) occur from 1,000 to 2,100 metres (3,300–6,900 ft), covering

1350-517: Is a genus of flowering plants in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae . It includes more than 150 species , both popular garden plants and many wild forms. Erysimum is characterised by star-shaped and/or two-sided) trichomes growing from the stem, with yellow, red, pink or orange flowers and multiseeded seed pods. Wallflowers are annuals , herbaceous perennials or sub-shrubs . The perennial species are short-lived and in cultivation treated as biennials . Most species have stems erect, with

1440-640: Is deterred from feeding and oviposition by cardenolides in Erysimum cheiranthoides . Similarly, Anthocharis cardamines (orange tip butterfly), which oviposits on almost all crucifer species, avoids E. cheiranthoides . Erysimum asperum (western wallflower) is resistant to feeding and oviposition of Pieris napi macdunnoughii (synonym Pieris marginalis , margined white butterfly). Two crucifer-feeding beetles, Phaedon sp. and Phyllotreta sp., were deterred from feeding by cardenolides that were applied to their preferred food plants. Consistent with

1530-464: Is located on the slopes of the mountain. Before the 1496 Spanish colonization of Tenerife, the native Guanches referred to a powerful figure living in the volcano, which carries light, power and the sun. El Pico del Teide is the modern Spanish name. Teide was a sacred mountain for the aboriginal Guanches , so it was considered a mythological mountain, as Mount Olympus was to the ancient Greeks . When going on to Teide during an eruption , it

1620-708: Is pollinated almost exclusively by Anthophora alluadii . Like most Brassicaceae , species in the genus Erysimum produce glucosinolates as defensive compounds. However, unlike almost all other genera in the Brassicaceae, Erysimum also accumulates cardiac glycosides , another class of phytochemicals with an ecological importance in insect defense. Cardiac glycosides specifically function to prevent insect herbivory and/or oviposition by blocking ion channel function in muscle cells. These chemicals are toxic enough to deter generalist, and even some specialist insect herbivores. Cardiac glycoside production

1710-517: Is the presence in the Earth's mantle of a convection cell which enters one part of the magma more towards the east, thus activating the old islands. According to this hypothesis, the magma would be also responsible for scattered volcanic activity to the northwest of the African continent to the south of Spain. The formation of Tenerife began a little less than 12 Mya. It started with the formation of

1800-544: Is widespread in Erysimum , with at least 48 species in the genus containing these compounds. Accumulation of cardiac glycosides in Erysimum crepidifolium , but not other tested species, is induced by treatment with jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate , endogenous elicitors of chemical defenses in many plant species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that Erysimum diversification from other Brassicaceae species that do not produce cardiac glycosides began in

1890-503: The Azores high , as well as a very high UV index caused by the height of the peak (greater than 11 in the middle of the summer). This sunshine of around 3,450 h per year is partially compensated by the Canary current , a relatively cold ocean current which makes the climate more temperate. The situation at the level of Teide and its caldera is very unlike the climate at its base. In effect,

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1980-467: The Berbers of Kabylie . The Guanches believed the mountain to be the place that housed the forces of evil and the most evil figure, Guayota. Guayota shares features similar to other powerful deities inhabiting volcanoes, such as the goddess Pele of Hawaiian mythology , who lives in the volcano Kīlauea and is regarded by the native Hawaiians as responsible for the eruptions of the volcano. The same

2070-546: The Dispensatorium des Cordus by Valerius Cordus (1542), Bocks Kräuterbuch by Hieronymus Bock (1577), and Tabernaemontanus' Neuw Kreuterbuch by Jacobus Theodorus Tabernaemontanus (1588), also discuss applications of E. cheiri . In traditional Chinese medicine, Erysimum cheiranthoides has been used to treat heart disease and other ailments. Although medical uses of Erysimum became uncommon in Europe after

2160-831: The Enlightenment , most of the expeditions that went to East Africa and the Pacific had Teide as one of the most rewarding targets. The expedition of Lord George Macartney , George Staunton and John Barrow in 1792 almost ended in tragedy, as a major snowstorm and rain swept over them and they failed to reach the peak of Teide, just barely getting past Montaña Blanca. The German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt stopped in Tenerife during his voyage to South America in June 1799 and climbed Teide with his travelling companion Aimé Bonpland and some local guides. This excursion confirmed

2250-845: The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona , United States. The Teide National Park has generally a very sunny, dry and mild climate. The major climates found in the Teide National Park are the Mediterranean climate ( Csa / Csb ) and the Semi-arid climate ( BSk ). The Izaña Teide Observatory located at 2,371 metres (7,779 ft) asl registers an annual temperature of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) and almost 3,500 sunshine hours annually. Most summer days have completely clear skies. The lava flows on

2340-468: The Las Cañadas caldera, an asymmetric depression 15 km (9.3 mi) in diameter in the form of a horseshoe which opens to the north. The floor of the caldera varies from 2,000 to 2,200 m (6,600 to 7,200 ft) in altitude, although its sides in the south rise to 2,717 m (8,914 ft), the level of Mount Guajara . To the north, the slopes of Teide continue directly to the ocean, with

2430-488: The Pliocene (2.33–5.2 million years ago), suggesting relatively recent evolution of cardiac glycosides as a defensive trait in this genus. The evolution of novel chemical defenses in plants, such as cardenolides in the genus Erysimum , is predicted to allow escape from herbivory by specialist herbivores and expansion into new ecological niches. The crucifer-feeding specialist Pieries rapae (white cabbage butterfly)

2520-494: The Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit . It can become a bushy evergreen perennial in milder locations. It is strongly scented and attractive to bees. Erysimum is found in a range of habitats across the northern hemisphere, and has developed diverse morphology and growth habits (herbaceous annual or perennial, and woody perennial). Different Erysimum species are used as food plants by

2610-464: The Soufrière Hills , Mount Unzen and elsewhere. During 2003, there was an increase in seismic activity at the volcano and a rift opened on the north-east flank. No eruptive activity occurred but a quantity of material, possibly liquid, was emplaced into the edifice and is estimated to have a volume of ~10 m . Such activity can indicate that magma is rising into the edifice, but is not always

2700-531: The blue chaffinch ( Fringilla teydea ), Berthelot's pipit ( Anthus berthelotii berthelotii ), the Atlantic canary ( Serinus canaria ) and a subspecies of kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus canariensis ). Three endemic reptile species are found in the park: the Canary Island lizard ( Gallotia galloti galloti ), the Canary Island wall gecko ( Tarentola delalandii ), and the Canary Island skink ( Chalcides viridanus viridanus ). The only mammals native to

2790-736: The larvae of some Lepidoptera ( butterflies and moths ) species including the garden carpet ( Xanthorhoe fluctuata ). In addition, some species of weevils, like Ceutorhynchus chlorophanus , live inside the fruits feeding on the developing seeds. Many species of beetles, bugs and grasshoppers eat the leaves and stalks. Some mammalian herbivores, for example mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) in North America, argali ( Ovis ammon ) in Mongolia, red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) in Central Europe, or Spanish ibex ( Capra pyrenaica ) in

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2880-493: The mouflon , the rabbit , the house mouse , the black rat , the feral cat , and the Algerian hedgehog have all been introduced to the park. The similarity between environmental and geological conditions of Teide National Park and the planet Mars have made the park the ideal place for testing instruments that will travel to Mars and reveal past or present life on Mars. In 2010 a research team tested at Las Cañadas del Teide

2970-401: The "hat of Teide" ( Toca del Teide ) which was probably confused with signs of an eruption by sailors. Teide is a stratovolcano created by the same forces which formed the Canary Islands. The islands are aligned relatively east to west, but continue to the northeast in a series of undersea mountains which are part of the same volcanic region as the Canary Islands. Dating indicates that

3060-578: The 17th century, gives a description of Teide, in which he notes the suitable paths to the top and the effects its considerable height causes for travellers, indicating that the volcano had been accessed via different routes before the 17th century. In 1715 the English traveler J. Edens and his party made the ascent and reported their observations in the journal of the Royal Society in London. After

3150-411: The 4.5 million annual visitors to Teide National Park." However, another study in 2009 concluded that Teide will probably erupt violently in the future, and that its structure is similar to that of Vesuvius and Etna. Thus the magnitude of the risk posed by Teide to the public remains a source of debate. In a publication of 1626, Sir Edmund Scory, who probably stayed on the island in the first decades of

3240-487: The Atlantic Ocean, 290 km (180 mi) northwest of the coast of Western Sahara . The volcano is located in a central position on the Tenerife island. Administratively, the Canary Islands are a Spanish autonomous community. Teide itself is located within the commune of La Orotava in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife . Before reliable measurements were available, Teide was considered by Europeans to be

3330-462: The Canary Island wallflower ( Erysimum scoparium ), which has violet flowers; and the Teide bugloss ( Echium wildpretii ), whose red flowers form a pyramid up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in height. The Teide daisy ( Argyranthemum teneriffae ) can be found at altitudes close to 3,600 m (11,800 ft) above sea level, and the Teide violet ( Viola cheiranthifolia ) can be found right up to

3420-581: The Cordillera Dorsal or northeast rift (Fasnia in 1704, Siete Fuentes and Arafo in 1705). The 1706 Montañas Negras eruption destroyed the town and principal port of Garachico, as well as several smaller villages. Historical activity associated with the Teide and Pico Viejo stratovolcanoes occurred in 1798 from the Narices del Teide on the western flank of Pico Viejo. Eruptive material from Pico Viejo, Montaña Teide and Montaña Blanca partially fills

3510-481: The Iberian Peninsula, feed on wallflower flowering and fruiting stalks. Erysimum crepidifolium (pale wallflower) is toxic to some generalist vertebrate herbivores. Most wallflowers are pollinator-generalists, their flowers being visited by many different species of bees, bee flies, hoverflies, butterflies, beetles, and ants. However, there are some specialist species. For example, Erysimum scoparium

3600-444: The Las Cañadas caldera provides sufficient shelter for more fragile species such as the Canary Island cedar ( Juniperus cedrus ), and the Canary Island pine ( Pinus canariensis ) to grow. The most dominant plant species in the Teide National Park are the Teide white broom ( Cytisus supranubius ), which has a white and pink flower; the Canary Island wallflower ( Erysimum scoparium ), which has white and violet flowers; and

3690-413: The Las Cañadas caldera. The last explosive eruption involving the central volcanic centre was from Montaña Blanca around 2000 years ago. The last eruption within the Las Cañadas caldera occurred in 1798 from the Narices del Teide or Chahorra (Teide's Nostrils) on the western flank of Pico Viejo. The eruption was predominantly strombolian in style and most of the lava was ʻaʻā . This lava is visible beside

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3780-541: The Raman instrument that was to be used in the ESA-NASA ExoMars expedition to Mars. In 2017, ESA tested planetary rovers in an area of the park known as Las Minas de San José. Besides the Teide National Park participates in different international programs and exchange advice with other national parks in the world, especially Central America , South America and Europe . In regard to international cooperation,

3870-618: The Teide National Park has provided technical support to the Souss-Massa National Park located in southwestern of Morocco . Teide Teide , or Mount Teide , ( Spanish : El Teide, Pico del Teide , pronounced [ˈpiko ðel ˈtejðe] , "Peak of Teide") is a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands , Spain . Its summit (at 3,715 m (12,188 ft)) is the highest point in Spain and

3960-414: The Teide bugloss ( Echium wildpretii ), whose red flowers form a pyramid up to 3m in height. The Teide daisy ( Argyranthemum teneriffae ) can be found at altitudes close to 3,600m above sea level. The Teide violet ( Viola cheiranthifolia ) can be found right up to the summit of the volcano, making it the highest flowering plant in Spain. These plants are adapted to the tough environmental conditions on

4050-758: The Vilaflor–Chio road. Christopher Columbus reported seeing "a great fire in the Orotava Valley " as he sailed past Tenerife on his first voyage to the New World in 1492. This was interpreted as indicating that he had witnessed an eruption there. Radiometric dating of possible lavas indicates that in 1492 no eruption occurred in the Orotava Valley, but one did occur from the Boca Cangrejo vent. The last summit eruption from Teide occurred about

4140-537: The age of these islands changes from east to west, with the older islands and undersea mountains to the east and more recent ones to the west. This makes Fuerteventura and Lanzarote the oldest islands, from 20.2 Mya , and El Hierro the youngest, from 1.1 Mya. Counting the undersea mountains, Mount Lars is the oldest, from 68 Mya. The Madeira islands , located not far to the north of the Canary islands and also volcanic, have many islands and undersea mountains aligned in

4230-402: The altitude, the air is significantly thinner than at sea level. This can cause people (especially with heart or lung conditions) to become light-headed or dizzy, to develop altitude sickness , and in extreme cases to lose consciousness. The only treatment is to return to lower altitudes and acclimatise. An astronomical observatory is located on the slopes of the mountain, taking advantage of

4320-525: The central volcano of Las Cañadas, and the Anaga massif. The Las Cañadas volcano developed over the Miocene shield volcanoes and may have reached 40 km (25 mi) in diameter and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) in height. Around 160–220 thousand years ago the summit of the Las Cañadas I volcano collapsed, creating the Las Cañadas (Ucanca) caldera . Later, a new stratovolcano, Las Cañadas II, formed in

4410-541: The centre of Tenerife's coat of arms. Above the volcano appears St. Michael , the patron saint of Tenerife. The flag colors of the island are dark blue , traditionally identified with the sea that surrounds the island, and white for the whiteness of the snow-covered peaks of Teide during winter. The logo of the Cabildo de Tenerife (governing body of the island) includes a symbol of Teide in eruption. Erysimum Over 180, see text Erysimum , or wallflower ,

4500-423: The climate of Tenerife is marked by an inversion layer around at an altitude of 1,000 m (3,300 ft), isolating the high-altitude zones from ocean influences present at the lower altitudes. This leads to a more continental climate on Teide, with strong changes in temperature over the course of the day (typically on the order of 15 °C) and in the course of the year (with a range of -15 °C in winter to 30 °C in

4590-552: The depression is the result of a vertical collapse of the volcano triggered by the emptying of shallow magma chambers at around sea level under the Las Cañadas volcano after large-volume explosive eruptions . The second theory is that the caldera was formed by a series of lateral gravitational collapses similar to those described in Hawaii . Evidence for the latter theory has been found in both onshore observations and marine geology studies. From around 160,000 years ago until

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4680-484: The flanks of Teide weather to a very thin, but nutrient and mineral rich soil that supports a diverse number of plant species . Vascular flora consists of 168 plant species, 33 of which are endemic to Tenerife. Forests of Canary Island pine ( Pinus canariensis ) occur from 1000 to 2100 m, covering the middle slopes of the volcano, and having an alpine timberline 1000 m lower than that of continental mountains of similar latitude . At higher altitudes ,

4770-508: The good weather, and the altitude, which puts it above most clouds, and promotes stable Astronomical seeing . The Teide Observatory is operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias . It includes solar, radio and microwave telescopes, in addition to traditional optical night-time telescopes. Teide is the main symbol of Tenerife and the most emblematic natural monument of the Canary Islands. An image of Teide, gushing flames, appears at

4860-460: The highest mountain on Earth for a long time. With a height of 3,715 m (12,188 ft), it is the highest point in Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. If it is measured from the ocean floor, it surpasses 7,000 m (23,000 ft), making it the third highest volcanic structure in the world after Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea , both on the island of Hawaii . The formation of the mountain is marked by its long and complex volcanic history. It rests on

4950-497: The highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic . If measured from the ocean floor, its height of 7,500 m (24,600 ft) makes Teide the third-highest volcano in the world, UNESCO and NASA rank it as Earth's third-tallest volcanic structure. Teide's elevation above sea level makes Tenerife the tenth highest island in the world . Teide started forming 170,000 years ago due to volcanic activity following

5040-497: The hypothesis of enhanced speciation after escape from herbivory, phylogenetic studies involving 128 Erysimum species indicate diversification in Eurasia between 0.5 and 2 million years ago, and in North America between 0.7 and 1.65 million years ago.) This evolutionarily rapid expansion of the Erysimum genus has resulted in several hundred known species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Erysimum species have

5130-406: The inversion layer also stops these clouds from rising, and the climate is thus very dry below the level of Teide. The precipitation in the caldera in the caldera is thus less than 500 mm per year, the majority falling in the winter, and in total, around one third in the form of snow. Variation can be quite high from one year to the next. Meanwhile the peak of Teide is covered by wave clouds , forming

5220-403: The island of La Gomera at dawn, and the island of Gran Canaria at sunset. The shadow has a perfectly triangular shape, even though Teide's silhouette does not; this is an effect of aerial perspective . Visitors and tourists climb to the top of the volcano at sunset to witness this phenomenon. Teide National Park is a useful volcanic reference point for studies related to Mars because of

5310-558: The late spring or early summer, in May and June. Teide National Park contains a large number of invertebrate species, over 40% of which are endemic species, and 70 of which are found only in the National Park. The invertebrate fauna includes spiders , beetles , dipterans , hemipterans , and hymenopterae . In contrast, Teide National Park has only a limited variety of vertebrate fauna. Ten species of bird nest there, including

5400-427: The middle slopes of the volcano and reaching an alpine tree line 1,000 m (3,300 ft) lower than that of continental mountains at similar latitudes . Within the Las Cañadas caldera and at higher altitudes , plant species endemic to the Teide National Park include: the Teide white broom ( Cytisus supranubius ), which has white flowers; Descurainia bourgaeana , a shrubby crucifer with yellow flowers;

5490-523: The most recent centres of activity on the volcanic island of Tenerife , which is the largest (2,058 km or 795 sq mi) and highest (3,715 m or 12,188 ft) island in the Canaries . It has a complex volcanic history. The formation of the island and the development of the current Teide volcano took place in the five stages shown in the diagram on the right. Like the other Canary Islands , and volcanic ocean islands in general, Tenerife

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5580-566: The most visited national park in Spain and −by 2015− the eighth most visited in the world, with some 3 million visitors yearly. In 2016, it was visited by 4,079,823 visitors and tourists reaching a historical record. There are morning and afternoon coach trips through the park, departing from selected areas in the south of Tenerife's tourist towns. Access to the peak requires a free permit that needs to be booked in advance. Teide National Park held spiritual significance to aboriginal Guanches , and important archaeological sites have been discovered in

5670-414: The national park. The invertebrate fauna include spiders , beetles , dipterans , hemipterans , and hymenopterae . In contrast, Teide national park has only a limited variety of vertebrate fauna. Ten species of bird nest in the park. These include the blue chaffinch ( Fringilla teydea teydea ); Berthelot's pipit ( Anthus berthelotii berthelotii ); the Atlantic canary ( Serinus canaria ); and

5760-411: The north, forming the caldera of Las Cañadas. These massive landslides were quite frequent and were in part cased by the fractures of the rifts. Besides the caldera, the landslides were also responsible for the valley of La Orotava (around 600,000 years ago) and Güímar (around 850,000 years ago). The stratovolcanoes Teide and Pico Viejo (Old Peak, although it is in fact younger than Teide) are

5850-513: The northern part. The main ravines, with prominence around 100 m (330 ft), are located on the south slope: from east to west, the Corredor Mario , Corredor La Corbata and Corredor La Bola . Despite its proximity to the Sahara, the Canary Islands have a relatively temperate climate. The sunshine duration is very high due to Teide's subtropical latitude and proximity to

5940-459: The only two peaks in the Canary islands rising above the 3,000 m level. The park has an area of 18,990 hectares located in the municipality of La Orotava . It was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on June 28, 2007. Since the end of 2007, it has also been one of the 12 Treasures of Spain . On a ridge, to the east of Teide, are the telescopes of the Observatorio del Teide . Teide is

6030-497: The park are bats , the most common of which is Leisler's bat ( Nyctalus leisleri ). Other mammals, such as the mouflon , the rabbit , the house mouse , the black rat , the feral cat , and the North African hedgehog , have all been introduced to the park. Teide casts the world's largest shadow projected on the sea. The shadow is cast for more than 40 km (25 mi) from the mountain's summit, reaching as far as

6120-592: The park. Teide was a place of worship for the Guanches, who believed it was the gate to hell ( Echeyde ). National park status was declared on January 22, 1954. In 1989, the Council of Europe awarded the European Diploma of Protected Areas , in its highest category. This recognition and conservation management has been subsequently renewed in 1994, 1999 and 2004. In 2007, UNESCO declared Teide National Park

6210-522: The present day, the stratovolcanoes of Teide and Pico Viejo formed within the Las Cañadas caldera. Teide last erupted in 1909 from the El Chinyero vent, on the Santiago Ridge. Historical volcanic activity on the island is associated with vents on the Santiago or northwest rift (Boca Cangrejo in 1492, Montañas Negras in 1706, Narices del Teide or Chahorra in 1798, and El Chinyero in 1909) and

6300-485: The same general direction and with similar dates. This pattern is consistent with archipelagoes which have formed over a hotspot such as the Hawaiian Islands. However, there are many differences with Hawaii. First, the Hawaiian Islands are sinking rapidly (in geological time) into the ocean, forming atolls , yet the rate of subsidence is insignificant in the Canary Islands. If the Canary islands were sinking at

6390-539: The same rate as the Hawaiian islands, Teide would be actually below sea-level. But one of the most fundamental differences, and which lends doubt to the theory of a hotspot, is the fact that the volcanic activity is not constrained to the most recent island, but continues through all the islands in the chain. This has aroused an intense debate in the scientific community, which continues to a certain extent today. One hypothesis which allows reconciliation of these observations

6480-561: The similarities in their environmental conditions and geological formations. In 2010 a research team tested the Raman instrument at Las Cañadas del Teide in anticipation of its use in the 2016–2018 ESA-NASA ExoMars expedition. In June 2011 a team of researchers from the UK visited the park to test a method for looking for life on Mars and to search for suitable places to test new robotic vehicles in 2012. The volcano and its surroundings, including

6570-478: The slopes of the main volcano. On the outside of these two main peaks, the relief Teide also has some smaller formations, of which the most notable are Roques Blancos , Pico Cabras , and Montaña Blanca , situated next to the base of Teide. The slopes of Teide are covered in radial ravines. However, the majority of the ravines have been covered by recent lava flows, the Lavas Negras , in particular

6660-529: The south side of the structure, the internal walls rise as almost sheer cliffs from 2,100 to 2,715 m (6,890 to 8,907 ft). The 3,715 m (12,188 ft) summit of Teide itself, and its sister stratovolcano Pico Viejo (3,134 m (10,282 ft)), are both situated in the northern half of the caldera and are derived from eruptions later than this prehistoric explosion. Future eruptions may include pyroclastic flows and surges similar to those that occurred at Mount Pelée , Merapi , Vesuvius , Etna ,

6750-519: The south). Each shield was apparently constructed in less than three million years, and the entire island in about eight million years. The initial juvenile stage was followed by a period of 2–3 million years of eruptive quiescence and erosion . This cessation of activity is typical of the Canaries; La Gomera , for example, is currently at this stage. After this period of quiescence, the volcanic activity became concentrated within two large edifices:

6840-1103: The stem ranges from 4 to 7mm. There are four pouch-shaped sepals , light green, 5–7mm × 1.5–2mm. The genus name Erysimum is derived from the Ancient Greek erysimon ( ἐρύσιμον , Sisymbrium officinale or Sisymbrium polyceratium    [ d ] , the hedgenettle), itself from the word eryo ( ἐρύω ) meaning to drag or eryso , a form of rhyomai ( ῥύομαι ), meaning "to ward off" or "to heal" in reference to its medicinal properties. Wallflowers are native to temperate Eurasia, North Africa and Macaronesia , and North America south to Costa Rica. Many wallflowers are endemic to small areas, such as: Most wallflower garden cultivars (e.g. Erysimum 'Chelsea Jacket' ) are derived from E. cheiri (often placed in Cheiranthus ), from southern Europe. They are often attacked by fungal and bacterial disease, so they are best grown as biennials and discarded after flowering. They are also susceptible to clubroot ,

6930-498: The summer). Humidity is also very affected by this inversion layer. The presence of the Axores high in the northwest of the Canaries in summer induces relatively constant winds ( trade winds ) blowing from the northeast to the southwest. These winds carry moisture across the Atlantic and goes to rain on the north of Tenerife, forming in particular a dense layer of clouds between 800 and 1,600 ft (240 and 490 m) of altitude. But

7020-399: The summit, making it the highest flowering plant in Spain. These plants are adapted to the tough environmental conditions on the volcano, such as high altitude, intense sunlight, extreme temperature variations, and lack of moisture. Adaptations include hemispherical forms, a downy or waxy cover, a reduction of the exposed leaf area, and high flower production. Flowering takes place in

7110-564: The vicinity of Guajara and then catastrophically collapsed. Another volcano, Las Cañadas III, formed in the Diego Hernandez sector of the caldera. All of the Las Cañadas volcanoes attained a maximum altitude similar to that of Teide (which is sometimes referred to as the Las Cañadas IV volcano). Two theories on the formation of the 16 km × 9 km (9.9 mi × 5.6 mi) caldera exist. The first states that

7200-410: The volcanic activity began in the rifts of the island, formed by radial fractures due to the thrust of magma in the central volcano. The eruptions of Las Cañadas were initially basic and fluid lavas, but they differentiated over time ( trachybasalts and phonolites ), which gave place to more explosive eruptions. Around 200,000 years ago, the peak of the volcano was swept away in a giant land slide to

7290-513: The volcanic origin of basalt. During an expedition to Kilimanjaro , the German adventurer Hans Heinrich Joseph Meyer visited Teide in 1894 to observe ice conditions on the volcano. He described the two mountains as "two kings, one rising in the ocean and the other in the desert and steppes". More recently in November 2017, Gema Hassen-Bey became the first Paralympic athlete in the world in

7380-505: The volcano such as high altitude, intense sunlight, extreme temperature variations, and lack of moisture. Adaptations include acquiring semi-spherical forms, acquiring a downy or waxy cover, reducing the exposed leaf area, and having a high flower production. Flowering takes place in the late spring or early summer, in the months of May and June. The Teide National Park contains a huge range of invertebrate fauna , over 40% of which are endemic species, with 70 species only being found in

7470-417: The volume of Tenerife. The lavas are basalts , basic rocks (i.e. having a low content of silica) and therefore very fluid, this explains the characteristic form of shield volcanoes. Around 3.5 Mya, after a pause of 5.5 million years, volcanic activity resumed to the level of the first shield volcano. This is the start of the rejuvenation phase, forming the volcano Las Cañadas. It was also in this period that

7560-422: The way to the summit, reaching 3,555 m (11,663 ft), carrying up to 38 passengers (34 in a high wind) and taking eight minutes to reach the summit. Access to the summit itself is restricted; a free permit is required to climb the last 200 m (660 ft). Numbers are normally restricted to 200 per day. Several footpaths take hikers to the upper cable car terminal, and then onto the summit. Because of

7650-401: The whole of the Las Cañadas caldera, are protected in the Teide National Park. Access is by a public road running from northeast to southwest across the caldera. TITSA runs a return service to Teide once a day from both Puerto de la Cruz and Playa de las Americas . The park has a Parador (hotel) and a small chapel. A cable car goes from the roadside at 2,356 m (7,730 ft) most of

7740-461: The year 850 AD, and this eruption produced the "Lavas Negras" or "Black Lavas" that cover much of the flanks of the volcano. About 150,000 years ago, a much larger explosive eruption occurred, probably of Volcanic Explosivity Index 5. It created the Las Cañadas caldera, a large caldera at about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level, around 16 km (9.9 mi) from east to west and 9 km (5.6 mi) from north to south. At Guajara, on

7830-459: Was built by accretion of large shield volcanoes , three of which developed in a relatively short period. This early shield stage volcanism formed the bulk of the emerged part of Tenerife. The shield volcanoes date back to the Miocene and early Pliocene and are preserved in three isolated and deeply eroded massifs : Anaga (to the northeast), Teno (to the northwest) and Roque del Conde (to

7920-425: Was customary for the Guanches to light bonfires to scare Guayota . Guayota is often represented as a black dog, accompanied by his host of demons ( Tibicenas ). The Guanches also believed that Teide held up the sky. Many hiding places found in the mountains contain the remains of stone tools and pottery. These have been interpreted as being ritual deposits to counter the influence of evil spirits, like those made by

8010-411: Was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. Teide is the most visited natural wonder of Spain, the most visited national park in Spain and Europe and, by 2015, the eighth most visited in the world, with some 3 million visitors yearly. In 2016, it was visited by 4,079,823 visitors and tourists, reaching a historical record. Teide Observatory , a major international astronomical observatory ,

8100-467: Was true for the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed that Vulcano and Mount Etna were chimneys of the foundry of the fire god Hephaestus ( Vulcan in Latin). In 1492, when Christopher Columbus arrived at the island of Tenerife, his crew claimed to see flames coming from the highest mountain of the island (Teide). Teide is located on Tenerife, the largest island of the Canary Islands, situated in

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