About Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is a fissure vent(s) rising to 529 meters (1,736 feet) in Spain's Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Fuerteventura is located in Spain, within the Canary Volcanic Province of the broader Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 28.36° N, 14.02° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 529 meters above sea level, Fuerteventura is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Fuerteventura is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Fuerteventura tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Spain more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
Pleistocene and Holocene cinder cones and lava flows cover large portions of elongated Fuerteventura Island at the SE end of the Canary Islands. The youngest lavas are found at the northern and central portions of the arid, sparsely vegetated island. Malpais de la Arena, the Northern Malpais, and the Lobos Island areas at the northern tip of Fuerteventura are the sites of broad fields of youthful cinder cones and lava flows. The Malpais Chico, Malpais Grande, and Malpais de Jacomar areas on the south-central part of the island represent smaller zones of youthful volcanism, as do the volcanoes of Pajara, which were constructed on the older plutonic massif west of the axis of the island. No historical eruptions are known, although the very youthful appearance of lava flow surfaces in the central part of the island suggests a late-Holocene or prehistoric age.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Fuerteventura.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Fuerteventura
Is Fuerteventura an active volcano?+
Fuerteventura is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Fuerteventura?+
Fuerteventura has a summit elevation of 529 meters (1,736 feet) above sea level. At 529 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Fuerteventura?+
Fuerteventura is classified as a Fissure vent(s). Fissure vent(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Fuerteventura located?+
Fuerteventura is located in Spain, in the Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Canary Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 28.358° latitude, -14.020° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Fuerteventura?+
Fuerteventura can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Spain may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
