2022 Sunday, Oct 30

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Teide)

A friend and former coworker, Zelete, kindly offered to loan us his car for the day. The day’s itinerary was to visit Tenerife’s volcano, Teide, at the center of the island. At 3,718 meters high (12,198 feet), it is Spain’s tallest mountain, surpassing anything in the Pyrenees.

Not much walking since much of the day was spent in the car. 3.3 miles walking total for the day.

2022     Spain

Tiede, the island of Tenerife's volcano, from afar
We were blessed with clear weather—often Teide is obscured by clouds. The last major eruption that added height was in the 8th century. New cones are added as smaller eruptions occur.
observatory near Tiede
The observatory is located at 2390 meters and is known for good astrological seeing conditions. It has attracted telescopes from all over the world.
observatory near Tiede
Richard had hoped to visit but it was not possible. A recent Nobel prize winner definitively proved the theory of quantum entanglement using this observatory with that of a nearby island, La Palma.
Minas de San Josè area of Teide
The Minas de San Josè area of Teide is known as the “moonscape” area. Prototypes for instruments and equipment for moon landings were tested here in the volcanic dust similar to the moon. On this Sunday, people were climbing all over the area.
The Teide cone cable car allowing access almost to the top
The Teide cone has a cable car allowing access almost to the top. Look carefully and you can see the cable car shed and poles to the right of the cone.
The Teide cone cable car allowing access almost to the top
The cable car is almost reaching the lower shed. We did not take the cable car.
Tiede cone white area below the top is Montaña Blanca
The white area below the top is Montaña Blanca, another cone where the color has changed due to the corrosive emitted gases.
Evidence of lava flows
Evidence of lava flows.
Roques de Garcia area lava structures
The Roques de Garcia area is known for the lava structures.
colors of the Las Cañadas area
The colors of the Las Cañadas area are supposed to be most vibrant at sunset, but we were not able to stay that late.
Tiede area known to resemble Mars
At the visitor center, we were told that this area resembles the area on Mars.
Tiede area known to resemble Mars
rock structure near Tiede
rock structure near Tiede
rock structure near Tiede with Tiede in the background
looking down on the ocean from Tiede
Leaving Teide, the road was twisted and narrow, leading through small towns with terraced fields growing grapes and other crops.
ocean breezes keep wind turbines busy
Near the ocean on the southeast side of the island, wind turbines were turning. It was a small area, but the turbines were dense and turning furiously.

Comments:

Wendy Hendry:: Great to be out in nature. 2022/11/01

Reply We were sad that we didn’t have more time to hike but the day was still spectacular! 22/11/01