Volcanic geomorphosites assessment of the last eruption, on April to May 1995, within the natural park of Fogo Island, Cape Verde.

Abstract

Fogo Island presents the only active volcano of Cape Verde archipelago where the most important heritages of that activity are the conical aspect of the island, a caldera on its top and a main volcanic cone rising up the caldera floor. During April to May 1995 eruption the expelled materials have developed two major landforms, a volcanic cone and the lava flows. The aa lava type has built thicker and more irregular landforms than the pahoehoe lava type. A number of minor landforms were formed, such as depressions related to the craters or to an eruptive fracture, a multiple bomb impact craters and fractures at the cone top. The new landforms are the more relevant touristic attractions of the Fogo natural park, demanding an urgent scientific assessment and a detailed mapping in order to preserve and to mitigate its vulnerability to the anthropic destruction, such as by taking some “souvenirs”.