About Madeira
Madeira is a shield rising to 1,862 meters (6,109 feet) in Portugal's Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 4500 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Madeira is located in Portugal, within the Madeira Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 32.73° N, 16.97° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,862 meters above sea level, Madeira is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Madeira 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 Madeira tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Portugal 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
Madeira has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 4500 BCE to 4500 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
Madeira Island is the emergent top of a massive shield volcano that rises about 6 km from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean and forms the largest island of the 90-km-long Madeira Archipelago. Construction of the volcano along E-W rift zones from the Miocene to about 700,000 years ago was followed by a period of extensive erosion and possible edifice collapse. Two steep-walled amphitheaters open to south in the central part of the island. Late-stage eruptions are scattered throughout the island and lasted until the Holocene, producing scoria cones and intra-canyon lava flows covering rocks of the older eroded edifice. The youngest activity lies in the west-central part of the island, and consists of cinder cones in the upper Sao Vicente valley, a series of intra-canyon flows, and a tephra layer on top of the Paul da Serra plateau dated at about 6,500 years ago.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4500 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Paul da Serra |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Madeira
Is Madeira an active volcano?+
Madeira is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 4500 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Madeira last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Madeira occurred in 4500 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Madeira has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Madeira?+
Madeira has a summit elevation of 1,862 meters (6,109 feet) above sea level. At 1,862 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Madeira?+
Madeira is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Madeira located?+
Madeira is located in Portugal, in the Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Madeira Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are 32.730° latitude, -16.970° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Madeira?+
Madeira 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.
