About Calatrava Volcanic Field
Calatrava Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,117 meters (3,665 feet) in Spain's European Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 3600 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Calatrava Volcanic Field is located in Spain, within the Western European Volcanic Province of the broader European Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.87° N, 4.02° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,117 meters above sea level, Calatrava Volcanic Field 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
Calatrava Volcanic Field 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 Calatrava Volcanic Field 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.
Eruption History Summary
Calatrava Volcanic Field has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 3600 BCE to 3600 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Calatrava volcanic field lies in central Spain near Ciudad Real. The more than 300 basaltic-to-foiditic pyroclastic cones, maars, and lava domes cover an area of more than 5000 km2. The field is mostly of Pliocene or late-Pleistocene age, although late-stage phreatomagmatic activity at Columba volcano was dated at the mid-Holocene. It lies in a continental rift setting and contains several lake-filled maars. Fumarolic activity was recorded in the Sierra de Valenzuela area during the 16th-18th centuries.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3600 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Columba |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Calatrava Volcanic Field
Is Calatrava Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Calatrava Volcanic Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 3600 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Calatrava Volcanic Field last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Calatrava Volcanic Field occurred in 3600 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Calatrava Volcanic Field has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Calatrava Volcanic Field?+
Calatrava Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,117 meters (3,665 feet) above sea level. At 1,117 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Calatrava Volcanic Field?+
Calatrava Volcanic Field is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Calatrava Volcanic Field located?+
Calatrava Volcanic Field is located in Spain, in the European Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western European Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 38.870° latitude, -4.020° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Calatrava Volcanic Field?+
Calatrava Volcanic Field 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.
