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By Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Mount Teide in Tenerife

Mount Teide is a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is part of Teide National Park as well as being one of the highest points in Spain.

This Volcano stands out in the Canary Islands and dominates the skyline. Mount Teide is said to be the third-largest volcano in the world.

It provides for a beautiful backdrop with its amazing colours and intriguing form. There is a lot to learn about this volcano and I have the top 10 facts about it that you will find fascinating.

1. It’s the fourth tallest volcano in the world

When measured from the ocean floor, Mount Teide stands at 24,600 feet. This makes it the fourth-highest volcano in the world according to UNESCO and NASA.

Its elevation above sea level makes the island around it the tenth highest in the world. This mountain is also the highest point in Spain.

Other than being the highest point in Spain, this mountain has the highest peak in Western Europe, without including the Alps.

2. Mount Teide is a dormant Volcano

Satellite image of Mount Teide by Wikimedia

The most recent volcanic eruption occurred in 1909 at the El Chinyero vent on the northwestern Santiago rift.

This last eruption happened unexpectedly and scientists consider that it may happen again.

Its last summit eruption happened in 850 A.D when it produced the black lava covering the volcano today.

Las Canadas Caldera was created during this eruption. This caldera is about 2000 metres above sea level.

3. Mount Teide may erupt again one day!

As you may have guessed, this volcano may erupt again. Future eruptions may be fast-moving, full of hot gases and other volcanic matter.

There was increased seismic activity in Mount Teide a few years back that caused a rift to open on the north-east flank.

Due to these activities, the mountain is considered to be structurally unstable.

Scientists have had conflicting reports on how soon the next eruption may be and the extent of its damage and risk it poses, considering people are living close to the mountain.

4. There several plants and animal species

Photo by Wikimedia

The land around Mount Teide may seem like a desert area. However, several plants and animals are calling this place home.

Its rich volcanic soil provides nourishment to more than 168 plant species. The plants growing on the slopes of the mountain get to a height of between 2 to 3 metres.

There are also lovely pine trees surrounding the mountain. Animal species found here are more than 1,400. Most of these animals are native to this region and cannot be found elsewhere.

Several insect species can be found in the park surrounding this mountain. Most of the animals found around Mount Teide are not dangerous.

5. The night sky at Mount Teide is beautiful

If you would like to have the best night sky viewing experience while in Spain, head over to the Canary Islands.

The night sky here has beautiful constellation and is the most photographed. These photos were taken on top of Mount Teide.

In 1964, an international observatory was established here at 2390 metres.

A second observatory was built on La Palma Island known as Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory.

The mountain has been a scene of astronomical observation since the 20^th century.

Two astronomers carried out studies on the moon and the planets from this mountain between 1819 and 1900. They were able to tell them apart from the rings around Saturn.

6. One can access the peak through different routes

Several routes can lead one to the peak of Mount Teide. These routes were discovered back in the 17^th century by Sir Edmund Scory.

In his publication, Scory suggests the best paths and the challenges going uphill.

Another English explorer, J Edens, also reported different paths that one can take to ascent the mountain.

An interesting fact is that these explorers compared this mountain to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

A German scientist also climbed the mountain in 1799 with his companion together with some local guides.

7. Mount Teide has the world’s largest cone-shaped shadow

By Wikimedia

One fascinating event that happens at sunrise around Mount Teide is the magnificent triangle-shaped shadow in the area around the mountain.

To observe this spectacular occurrence, you will have to be on the highest point of the Island.

The shadow cast is so huge extending hundreds of miles into the Atlantic Ocean.

This is said to be the world’s largest shadow over the sea. It occurs twice a day, at sunrise and sunset.

8. Its peak has beyond zero temperature

By Daniel Gainza – Wikimedia

Mount Teide receives snowfalls at the same time every year. This is because its altitude is above sea level. Very few places in the world get to experience this.

The mountain has a height of 2371 metres making its temperatures go below zero for ten months a year.

This gets the mountain covered in the snow more often especially on its highest parts. Its low precipitation makes its snow cover much thinner than the Alps.

9. There are archaeological sites at Mount Teide

Mount Teide is surrounded by a park with a similar name. The park has rich historical and cultural sites.

There are more than 1,000 archaeological sites in this park that date back to the first tribe that lived in this area.

The area was inhabited by the aboriginal tribe known as Guanches. They left traces of their civilization like pyramids which served as places of worship. The Guanches believed the mountain was the gate of hell

There is a total of 6 pyramids that are popular tourist attractions.

10. Teide National Park is the most visited in Spain

The mountain and the park lie on more than 47,000 acres of land. It was declared as a UNESCO Heritage site in 2007.

This park receives millions of tourists annually. It reached its historical records in 2016 when more than 4 million people visited.

The Teide Observatory, a major international astronomical observatory is another attraction in this park.