| Country | Portugal |
| Volcanic Region | Azores-Terceira Rift Volcanic Province |
| Landform | Volc Type | Composite | Stratovolcano |
| Last Known Eruption | 1720 CE |
| Coordinates | 38.47°N, 28.4°W |
| Elevation | 2,351 m (7,713 ft) |
| Volcano Number | 382020 |
 Google Earth Placemark with Features
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Cite this Report
The Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA) reported a renewal of low-magnitude seismic activity off the NW coast of Pico, in a NE-SW zone along the Faial-Pico channel, W of Madalena to N of Lagido, and encompassing the Cachorro Submarine Volcanic System. The earthquake depths ranged from 13 km deep to near surface. On 15 May the Volcanic Alert Level was raised to V1 (the second lowest level on an 8-level scale) for the Faial-Pico channel.
Source: Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA)
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Pico.
Cite this Report
The Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA) reported a renewal of low-magnitude seismic activity off the NW coast of Pico, in a NE-SW zone along the Faial-Pico channel, W of Madalena to N of Lagido, and encompassing the Cachorro Submarine Volcanic System. The earthquake depths ranged from 13 km deep to near surface. On 15 May the Volcanic Alert Level was raised to V1 (the second lowest level on an 8-level scale) for the Faial-Pico channel.
Source: Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA)
Cite this Report
The Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA) reported that the low-magnitude seismic activity off the NW coast of Pico had decreased and was near baseline levels. The area of seismicity wa in a NE-SW zone along the Faial-Pico channel, W of Madalena to N of Lagido, and encompassing the Cachorro Submarine Volcanic System. On 21 April the Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to V0 (the lowest level on an 8-level scale) for the Faial-Pico channel.
Source: Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA)
Cite this Report
The Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA) reported that on 1 April low-magnitude seismic activity was off the NW coast of Pico, in a NE-SW zone along the Faial-Pico channel, W of Madalena to N of Lagido, and encompassing the Cachorro Submarine Volcanic System. The earthquake depths ranged from 20 km deep to near surface. The seismicity was slightly above normal levels; on 9 April the Volcanic Alert Level was raised to V1 (the second lowest level on an 8-level scale) for the Faial-Pico channel.
Source: Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA)
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Pico.
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There is data available for 3 confirmed eruptive periods.
[ 1963 Dec 15 (on or before) ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | Off NW coast | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 1963 Dec 15 (on or before) - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | ||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Off NW coast
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1720 Jul 10 - 1720 Dec (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | SE flank (400 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1720 Jul 10 - 1720 Dec (?) | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SE flank (400 m)
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1718 Feb 1 - 1718 Dec 15 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | SE flank (200 m), NW flank (1200 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1718 Feb 1 - 1718 Dec 15 ± 5 days | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at SE flank (200 m), NW flank (1200 m)
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1562 Sep 21 (?) - 1564 (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | East flank (800 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1562 Sep 21 (?) - 1564 (?) | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at East flank (800 m)
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This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
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| Pico, Pico do | ||||
Cones |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Bocas de Fogo | Vent | |||
| Montanha | Stratovolcano | |||
| Topo | Shield volcano | |||
Craters |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Sao Roque Peidade | Fissure vent | |||
The conical Pico stratovolcano rising above the clouds is seen here from Fayal Island to the northwest. The 46-km-long Pico Island can be broadly separated into the Pico stratovolcano in the west, the Planalto da Achada fissure zone in the east (a roughly 30-km-long linear ridge of fissures and cones), and the Topo-Lajes volcano in the south. Pico volcano is capped by a 560-m-wide summit crater that contains a small steep-sided cone visible on the left side of the summit in this image. Recent eruptions have been recorded from the flanks of Pico and in the Planalto da Achada fissure zone. 
Pico volcano, the highest in the Azores, is located across a narrow 6-km-wide channel southeast of Fayal Island. From this direction, the stratovolcano appears to be a symmetrical cone, but it lies at the far western end of an elongated chain of cones that forms a roughly 800-m-high ridge extending ESE across Pico Island. Fumaroles are located near a small cone filling the summit crater, but eruptions recorded since 1562 CE have all occurred from flank vents.The following 1 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.
| Catalog Number | Sample Description | Lava Source | Collection Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMNH 116691-15 | Ankaramite | -- | 1 Aug 1980 |
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
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WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| EarthScope Consortium SAGE seismic stations/networks | EarthScope Consortium operates the NSF Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (GAGE) and NSF Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE). The linked map shows the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Pico. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| Large Eruptions of Pico | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
