Las Cañadas Caldera on Tenerife Island
December 05, 2018
Photographer: Hans Juergen Heyen
Summary Author: Hans Juergen Heyen
The photo above shows part of the plain known as Las Cañadas caldera, near the center of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands of Spain). Lying at an elevation of approximately 6,600 ft (2,000 m), it extends about 10.5 mi (17 km) across at its widest point. Of note is the solidified lava tongue at right center. Several such tongues are found on this high plain; the result of ancient flows from successive volcanic eruptions during Tenerife's active geologic past. On the edge of this plain (not visible on the picture) stands Teide volcano, which last erupted in 1909.
The climate here is quite dry, and summers can be hot. Lizards, such as the West Canaries Lizard (Gallotia galloti), at left, are commonly encountered. Photo taken on October 6, 2018.
Photo Details: Top - Camera: Canon EOS 600D; Software: Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery 6.0; Exposure Time: 0.0050s (1/200); Aperture: ƒ/9.0; ISO equivalent: 100; Focal Length: 10.0mm. Bottom - same except: Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ300; Exposure Time: 0.0010s (1/1000); Aperture: ƒ/4.0; Focal Length (35mm): 415.