The Fascinating Volcanic Features of Lanzarote
Favourite photos - 06/05/2025
I have to admit to being a little bit obsessed with volcanoes.
I think this obsession began when I watched the film ‘Krakatoa, East of Java’ as a child. I remember watching the film with a combination of absolute terror and utter fascination, and spent months (years?) afterwards wondering what it would have been like to have witnessed such a catastrophic event. Despite its many inaccuracies, not least the title (Krakatoa is actually west of Java), the film inspired an interest that has remained with me for life.
When Matt and I were traveling a lot I would select destinations known for their volcanic activity and features. Hence we had some wonderful trips exploring Iceland, the Azores (with many hot springs and fumaroles), the Italian Aeolian Islands (with fumaroles on Vulcano and regular eruptions on Stromboli), Sicily (for Mount Etna) and last but not least the Spanish Canary Islands.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote in the Canary Islands is sometimes known as the Island of Volcanoes.
The island has over 200 volcanoes, and although there have been no eruptions since 1824, there is evidence of volcanic activity everywhere.
The abundant lava on the island is put to good use in constructing its vineyards, where it is used to build walls to provide shelter for the young vines.
Timanfaya National Park
The Timanfaya National Park is a fascinating, starkly beautiful landscape, where it is possible to observe many volcanic features, including the slow colonization of the lava by lichens and plants. It is the only area of the island that is still considered to be volcanically active, with high surface temperatures and steam vents.
The photo below shows Montana Colorada dotted with aulaga plants (Canarian gorse) in sunlight. The red colour is caused by iron oxides in the lava.
The one below shows a remarkably large lava bomb, with Matt giving a sense of scale. I would not have wanted to be nearby when this was ejected!
There are few trees in the National Park, but here tree tobacco (which is in fact a non-native and invasive species) is in the process of colonizing the bleak landscape.
Lava Tubes
A particularly interesting feature of Lanzarote is its extensive lava tubes and caves, some of which have been converted into tourist attractions.
La Cueva de los Verdes (Green Cave) is a fascinating cave system located within a lava tube. Tourists can explore part of this system, which includes a subterranean lake with a perfect reflection of the walls and roof. The beautiful yellow colour is produced by phosphates and the whites by calcium carbonate.
Jameos del Agua is another cave system located within the same lava tube. Here the wonderful local architect César Manrique created a fascinating space combining a subterranean lake, a bar and restaurant, a garden and even a concert hall, all within the lava tube!
A particularly interesting feature of Jameos del Agua is the subterranean lake, which contains a population of tiny white squat lobsters. These little squat lobsters (Munidopsis polymorpha) are blind, being adapted to life underground, and they are totally unique to Lanzarote.
Black Coast at El Golfo
The lovely little village of El Golfo is located on the coast within the Timanfaya National Park.
In this area the coast is completely black, which brings us back to the ‘Favourite Photo’ at the head of this post.
It was a sunny but very windy day when we visited El Golfo, and beautiful white Atlantic waves were crashing onto the black volcanic shore. I love the way this photo captures the movement of the waves, and the stark contrast between the intense blue sky, the frothy white surf and the black lava.
Here are some more photos taken on that wild and windy afternoon.
Charco de los Clicos
Charco de los Clicos, also known as the Green Lagoon, is another interesting feature near El Golfo. Here sea water has become trapped in a lagoon inside a volcanic crater. Algae in the lagoon give the water a green colour.
To me, though, the most interesting feature is the spatter pattern created when fountains of lava spattered onto the walls of the crater and solidified.
There is so much more to Lanzarote than its holiday resorts. Anyone who has any interest in geology and volcanic landscapes is sure to be captivated by this lovely island.
You can see many more of my photos in my Picfair Gallery, where you can purchase downloads and prints.
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El Golfo is one of my very favourite places. I have eaten lots of fresh fish there and watched the sunset. I am fascinated by all the lichens to be found in Lanzarote. It's more than just a holiday destination- so much to see. Thank you for sharing the photographs. All so familiar.
That cave! 😍