Furnas
The Boiling Heart of the Azores
805 m
1630
Stratovolcano
Portugal
Location
Loading map...
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 396 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Nuno Antunes
via Unsplash
Other Volcanoes in Portugal
- Agua de Pau
Stratovolcano
- Sete Cidades
Stratovolcano
- Terceira
Stratovolcano(es)
Interesting Facts
The 1630 eruption of Furnas killed approximately 200 people — the deadliest volcanic event in Azorean history.
Furnas has produced two VEI 5 eruptions (~80 CE and 1630 CE), the same explosive magnitude as Vesuvius's 79 AD eruption.
The traditional cozido das Furnas stew is cooked by burying pots in geothermally heated ground for 6–7 hours.
Approximately 1,500 people live in Furnas village, directly on the caldera floor surrounded by active fumaroles.
Terra Nostra Park's iron-rich thermal pool maintains a natural temperature of 35–40°C year-round.
At least 11 trachytic pumice layers deposited over 5,000 years testify to Furnas' persistent explosive activity.
Diffuse CO₂ degassing from the caldera floor has caused livestock deaths in low-lying areas.
The 395-year repose since 1630 is the longest in Furnas' post-80 CE record.
Furnas' caldera walls rise ~500 m above the floor, creating a bowl that would trap pyroclastic flows.
Azorean geothermal energy, concentrated at volcanoes like Furnas, supplies ~42% of São Miguel's electricity.