About Corvo
Corvo is a stratovolcano rising to 718 meters (2,356 feet) in Portugal's European Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Corvo is located in Portugal, within the Western European Volcanic Province of the broader European Volcanic Regions. Situated at 39.70° N, 31.11° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 718 meters above sea level, Corvo is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The 4 x 6 km island of Corvo is located at the NW end of the Azores archipelago, west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A 2-km-wide caldera on the NW side of the island is the most prominent feature. The caldera floor contains several small cinder cones and two shallow lakes. Scoria cones south of the caldera fed lava flows that underlie the village of Corvo at the southern end of the island; that activity has been dated at 80,000 years ago, the most recent known eruption.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Corvo.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Corvo
Is Corvo an active volcano?+
Corvo is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Corvo?+
Corvo has a summit elevation of 718 meters (2,356 feet) above sea level. At 718 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Corvo?+
Corvo is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Corvo located?+
Corvo is located in Portugal, in the European Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western European Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 39.699° latitude, -31.111° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Corvo?+
Corvo can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Portugal may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
