Mount Teide Tenerife volcano

Declared a national park in 1954, the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide includes an enormous volcanic crater 48 km in circumference, out of which rises Mount Teide (pronounced the same as Lady) at a staggering 3.718 metres, making it the highest mountain in the whole of Spain.

The park itself lies at around 2000 metres above sea level and in winter snow falls, gale winds blow and the roads are sometimes closed off. During the summer months this arid landscape which gives the impression of having walked into a cowboy movie, can reach temperatures above 40C.

Access to the now extinct volcano is either by foot or by cable car that will carry you almost to the very summit. From the peak, on a clear day, you are in heaven and have breathtaking views of Gran canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. This is the Canary Islands most visited tourist attraction and must not be missed.

Tenerife volcano - latest news

Tenerife president says there is no risk of volcanic eruption

typicallyspanish.com: 21 Apr 2009

A scientist’s recently expressed concerns of Tenerife’s vulnerability to a possible explosive volcanic eruption has led the island’s president to hold a press conference to say there is no risk of that taking place.

Speaking on Tuesday 21st April 2009, Ricardo Melchior, president of the island government, the Cabildo, was critical of Alicia García from the CSIC Higher Council for Scientific Investigation for speaking of concerns amongst scientists of the situation on Tenerife; he noted that another scientist from the CSIC, Juan Carracedo, says there is no risk, and added that the discrepancy between their opinions is proof of the need for a Volcanic Institute on the Canary Islands.

He did, however, admit that there could be an eruption within the next 50 years, as, he said, that is to be expected on a volcanic island.

The last eruption was El Chinyero on Mount Teide in 1909.

The Teide volcano, the third highest in the world at 3,718 metres, was granted World Heritage status in 2007.

Ricardo Melchior told journalists that he has already written a letter of complaint to the CSIC about Alicia García’s statement.

Volcano fear hits Tenerife

The Sun: 23 Apr 2009

BRITS off to Tenerife are being warned of the danger of a massive volcano eruption.

Experts are worried about “semi-volcanic activity” in 12,200ft Mount Teide — Spain’s highest peak.

Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands, does not have evacuation plans if there is an eruption.

Scientist Dr Alicia Garcia said: “Tenerife is our great worry and problem.

“The Canary Islands have become very vulnerable because of the high level of tourism.”

About 1.5million Brits visit Tenerife each year and many take the cable car up Mount Teide.

It erupts around once every 100 years — and the last was in 1909.

Teide - Tranquilo

canarianweekly.com: 24 Apr 2009

The President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ricardo Melchior, has sent a letter to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, saying you can not allow statements like those of the researcher Alicia Garcia, who has recently stated that there is concern about the vulnerability to Tenerife of a possible explosive eruption of Mount Teide.

Alicia Garcia, a researcher at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) stated that there is concern among scientists about the situation on the island of Tenerife, due to the activity of Mount Teide and a possible explosive eruption.

Ricardo Melchior said at a press conference that there is no risk of an explosive volcanic eruption, and insisted that the fact that there is disagreement among researchers demonstrates the need to build the Institute volcanic Canary Islands.

Ricardo Melchior said Alicia Garcia's statements are not supported by scientists and was criticised in terms of use of surveillance systems, geochemistry, geophysics and geodesy from CSIS, the Institute for Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER) and IGN.

He acknowledged that in the next 50 years it is expected there will be a volcanic eruption in Tenerife as during the last century it was once in every one hundred years.

Tenerife is used to volcanic activity because it’s a volcanic area, said Ricardo Melchior, who added that the Spanish government has increased financial resources for studies.