Global Volcanism Program | Picos Fissural Volcanic System

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Latest Bulletin Report

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Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Picos Fissural Volcanic System.

Bulletin Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Picos Fissural Volcanic System.

General Information

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

382081

1652 CE

350 m / 1,148 ft

37.78°N
25.67°W

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Cluster

Volcano Types
Fissure vent
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite

Minor
Trachyte / Trachydacite

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone
Oceanic crust (< 15 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

115,732
115,732
123,990
139,730

Geological Summary

Nearly 200 scoria cones of the Picos volcanic system dot the narrow central zone of Sao Miguel Island between Sete Cidades and Agua de Pau volcanoes. This area of monogenetic fissure-controlled, dominantly basaltic volcanism, much of which post-dates the roughly 5,000-year-old Fogo eruption, cannot be assigned to either volcano and appears related to en-echelon fissures overlying a fracture zone. Thick pumice deposits thought to originate from the Picos system may have originated from vents or a caldera destroyed and now buried by young basaltic volcanism. The most noteworthy of the young vents is Serra Gorda, SE of Siete Cidades, and the cone that produced a lava delta south of Agua de Paul village. The majority of the inhabitants of Sao Miguel Island occupy both coasts below this volcanic zone. At least 18 eruptions have occurred during the past 2,800 years, although the only recorded eruption occurred in 1652 CE. The most recent activity has been basaltic; however, two more-explosive trachytic eruptions occurred during the past 1,100 years.

This volcano is located within the Azores, a UNESCO Global Geopark property.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Booth B, Croasdale R, Walker G P L, 1978. A quantitative study of five thousand years of volcanism on Sao Miguel, Azores. Phil Trans Roy Soc London, Ser A, 288: 271-319.

Martins J A, 1982. Excursion guide for field trip V1, Island of Sao Miguel. Proc Internatl Symp Activity Oceanic Volc, Archipelago Univ Azores, 3: 315-328.

Moore R B, 1990. Volcanic geology and eruption frequency, Sao Miguel, Azores. Bulletin of Volcanology, 52: 602-614.

Moore R B, 1991. Geologic map of Sao Miguel, Azores. U S Geol Surv Map, I-2007.

Solgevik H, Mattsson H B, Hermelin O, 2007. Growth of an emergent tuff cone: fragmentation and depositional processes recorded in the Capelas tuff cone, Sao Miguel, Azores. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 159: 246-266.

Zbyszewski G, Moitinho de Almeida F, Veiga Ferreira O da, Torre de Assuncao C, 1958. Geologic map of Sao Miguel (Azores). Servicos Geologicos Portugal, two 1:50,000 scale maps with 22 and 37 p texts (in Portuguese).

Eruptive History

There is data available for 7 confirmed eruptive periods.

1652 Oct 19 - 1652 Oct 26 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Eastern part (SW of Fogo 1 cone)

1652 Oct 19 - 1652 Oct 26

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Eastern part (SW of Fogo 1 cone)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Earthquakes (undefined)	Before.
1652 Oct 19	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

0940 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Eastern part (Mata des Feiticeiras)

0940 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Eastern part (Mata des Feiticeiras)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Entered water.
- - - -	- - - -	Cinder Cone

0850 ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

East-central part (Cruz)

0850 ± 150 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at East-central part (Cruz)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Cinder Cone
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria

0600 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

East-central part (Caldeirao)

0600 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at East-central part (Caldeirao)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Entered water.

0510 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

North-central part (Furna)

0510 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at North-central part (Furna)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Entered water.
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs

0850 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

North-central part (Aflitos)

0850 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at North-central part (Aflitos)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs

4040 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

4040 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

Synonyms and Subfeatures

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.

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Aflitos

Cone

Cambado, Pico do

Cone

Casteihano, Pico do

Cone

260 m

37° 46' 0.00" N

25° 34' 0.00" W

Cova, Pico do

Cone

305 m

37° 47' 0.00" N

25° 34' 0.00" W

Cruz, Pico do

Cone

387 m

37° 47' 0.00" N

25° 37' 0.00" W

Dr. Ferreira, Pico

Cone

321 m

37° 47' 0.00" N

25° 35' 0.00" W

Furna

Cone

Grande, Pico

Cone

376 m

37° 48' 0.00" N

25° 39' 0.00" W

Mata das Feiticeiras

Cone

265 m

37° 46' 0.00" N

25° 34' 0.00" W

Muta do Leal

Cone

37° 47' 0.00" N

25° 38' 0.00" W

Rosto de Cao

Tuff cone

Serra Gorda

Cone

485 m

37° 47' 0.00" N

25° 41' 0.00" W

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Caldeira

Crater

Capelas

Crater - Cone

Photo Gallery

A chain of scoria cones known as the Picos Fissural Volcanic System encompasses Sao Miguel Island between Sete Cidades and Agua de Pau volcanoes, seen in this view from the east below the Agua de Pau (Lagoa do Fogo) caldera. Scoria cones are the dominant volcanic form in the system, and over 270 are recognized here. The southern coast of Sao Miguel appears in the background. About 30 eruptions have occurred during the past 5,000 years, including eruptions in 1563 and 1652.

Copyrighted photo by Marco Fulle, 2000 (Stromboli On-Line, http://stromboli.net).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Picos Fissural Volcanic System in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites

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.

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 Picos Fissural Volcanic System. 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 Picos Fissural Volcanic System

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).

Country	Portugal
Volcanic Region	Azores-Terceira Rift Volcanic Province
Landform \| Volc Type	Cluster \| Fissure vent
Last Known Eruption	1652 CE
Coordinates	37.78°N, 25.67°W
Elevation	350 m (1,148 ft)
Volcano Number	382081
Google Earth Placemark with Features
Cite Volcano Profile