Fire Mountains

From 1730 to 1736 a scenery of fertile land situated in the south west of lanzarote, was struck by one of the most important eruptions in the history of vulganology.

During these years, the cultivated fields were transformed into one of the most extensive lava fields, more than twenty villages and hamlets were buried by the rage ot the craters, according to what the parish priest of yaiza precisely noted in those times.

In the year 1824, the last volcanic eruption of these characteristics in Lanzarote took place. The brutal action of nature shaped the striking area where we are now declared a National Park in 1974.

The national park of timanfaya covers a surface area of 51 square kilometres in whose interior a volcano range raises, from which originated the most important volcanic eruptions which are now known as fire mountains.

In this extent of land which reaches the sea, despite its hostile appearance to any kind of life, there are several species of animals such as the Haria lizard, the ravens, the seagulls, the Cory’s shearwater, and a great variety of lichens,aulaga, reeds, tojios, lengua de vaca and other examples of endemic flora. A large number of experts in Botany, zoology and Geology uses the national Park of Timanfaya as a base for different studies and experiments.

Close to the park you can find the visitors and interpretation centre at mancha blanca under the ministry of environment which gives a great deal of information about the characteristics of Timanfaya.

There is also a permanent exhibition with interpretative displays, a simulated eruption, a guide interpreter service and a multimedia audio visual programme which takes place in a building of majestic architectonic quality in accordance with the lava sea where it is settled.

When we get to the interior of the fire mountains we are immersed in a scenery which is both, breathtaking and unrepeatable. First we visit the islote de hilario where the temperature 10 cms below the surface s around 140c and 6 mts below ground it reaches 400c.

In this setting we can observe different geothermic experiments such as burning dried furze with the heat from the volcano and testing the calorific emanations of the surface. In addition we can see the artifical geysers produced by a few pipes sunk into the groun when water is poured into the bowels of the earth.

THINGS TO DO IN LANZAROTE: