Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

Amazing Islanad Of Madeira

The island of Madeira is at the top of a massive sheild volcano that rises about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, on the Tore underwater mountain range. The volcano formed atop an east-west rift in the oceanic crust along the African Plate, beginning during the Miocene epoch over 5 million years ago, continuing into the Pleistocene until about 700,000 years ago. This was followed by extensive erosion, producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing scoria cones and lava flows atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500 years ago, creating more cinder cones and lava flows.