Teide Peak hike, Tenerife Island, Canary

The Teide volcano is an active volcano. But at present, its only activity consists of a permanent degassing at the level of the top cone. The volcano spits in the atmosphere approximately 100 tons of CO2 a day and gases go out at a 85° Celcius temperature.

The last eruption took place in 1798 on the western side (Pico Viejo : 2994m).

The Teide’s "caldera" is 16 km in diameter and 45 km of circumference ; it is one of vaster of the globe. The gigantic collapse in the centre of the volcano is called ’Las Canadas’.

A National park (190km2 : the biggest of Spain) protects the the landscapes, the fauna and the endemic flora of the island.

2 plants are particularly protected : the small violet of the Teide, and especially the Tajinaste Rojo (Vipérine rouge de Tenerife in French, Tower of jewels for English, or Echium wildpretii for Latin speakers). This plant is 3m high, and is covered with red flowers 2 times per year.