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A volcanic eruption lasted for 13 months, from September 27, 1957 until October 24, 1958, which may have been two overlapping vulcanic eruptions. While enlarging the land by 2.5 km², it spawned 300 seismic events, hurled ash 1 km, destroyed 300 houses in the parishes of [[Capelo]] and [[Praia do Norte]] and caused the evacuation of 2,000 people (emigration to the [[United States|US]] and [[Canada]]). On October 25, the volcano entered a period of hibernation, although it is considered potentially active. |
A volcanic eruption lasted for 13 months, from September 27, 1957 until October 24, 1958, which may have been two overlapping vulcanic eruptions. While enlarging the land by 2.5 km², it spawned 300 seismic events, hurled ash 1 km, destroyed 300 houses in the parishes of [[Capelo]] and [[Praia do Norte]] and caused the evacuation of 2,000 people (emigration to the [[United States|US]] and [[Canada]]). On October 25, the volcano entered a period of hibernation, although it is considered potentially active. |
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==Geography== |
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The formation of Capelinhos is considered a [[Surtseyan eruption|Surtseyan]] eruption since it formed in the relativey shallow coast of the Faial seamount. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 13:09, 11 July 2009
The Capelinhos (from Capelo + -inhos diminutive, which literally means "little Capelos") is a volcano located on the Ponta dos Capelinhos, Capelo on the western part of the island of Faial in the Azores. It is part of the larger Capelos Vulcanic Complex that includes 20 escoria cones and lava fields that are aligned west-northwest to east-southeast from the Cabeço Gordo volcano. The name Capelinhos originally referred to two islets ("Ilhéus dos Capelinhos") that existed off the coast, and that were swallowed-up by the 1957 eruption.
A volcanic eruption lasted for 13 months, from September 27, 1957 until October 24, 1958, which may have been two overlapping vulcanic eruptions. While enlarging the land by 2.5 km², it spawned 300 seismic events, hurled ash 1 km, destroyed 300 houses in the parishes of Capelo and Praia do Norte and caused the evacuation of 2,000 people (emigration to the US and Canada). On October 25, the volcano entered a period of hibernation, although it is considered potentially active.
Geography
The formation of Capelinhos is considered a Surtseyan eruption since it formed in the relativey shallow coast of the Faial seamount.
History
The Capelinhos volcano was a semenal event; "it was a submarine eruption intensely observed, documented and studied from its beginning to end. It appeared under ideal conditions and across from an inhabited island, with roads, a lighthouse and private telephones", as first commented by vulcanologist Victor Hugo Forjaz.
The first activities during the eruption were identified by Frederico Machado (Eng.) the Director of Public Works, his assistant João do Nascimento (Eng.) and António Denis (Surveyor). The Director of the Observatory in Angra, Lieutenant Colonel José Agostinho overflew the area, and Bernado Almada (at the Prince Albert of Monaco Observatory, in Horta) sent several bulletins relating the increased seismic activity of the area.
Located at Cabeço Norte, a volcanic vent liberates water vapor and toxic gases with temperatures between 180ºC and 200º C from the volcano complex.
Although there were no deaths from the eruption, ash desposits and some projectiles caused the destruction of homes and the blanketing of agricutltural lands in the parishes of Capelo and Praia do Norte. Due to the close relationship between Portugal and the United States, refugees from the beleaguered parishes emigrated. The "Azorean Refugee Act" (September 2, 1958), authorized the emigration of 1,500 people and was sponsored by congressmen Joseph Perry Jr. and John Pastor of Rhode Island, and a young Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts. In addition to many families from the area of Capelo, other citizens of the Azores benefited from these temporary measures. This specifically resulted in a 50% decrease of the resident population of Capelo, and contributed to an increased standard of living, greater working opportunities and some improvements in base incomes.
Tourism
The volcano is a landmark on Faial; its ruined lighthouse and Visitors Center (which lies along the cliff from the volcano) is a tourist destination. Although the volcano is dangerous (due to its dormant state and relief), a trail network runs from the Visitors Center and lighthouse to the caldera summit. On September 27, 2007, commemorations marked the 50th anniversary of the eruption and its affects on the islands history and people (which was broadcast in Portugal and throughout the Azorean diaspora).
Sources
- Machado, F; Parsons, Willard H.; Richards, Adrian F.; Mulford, John W. (1962): Capelinhos Eruption of Fayal Volcano, Azores, 1957-1958. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 67, p.3519
- Mitchell-Thorme, R.C.; (1981): Vulcanicity of Historic Times in the Middle Atlantic Islands: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 44, p. 57-70.
- Cole, P.; Duncan, A.; Guest, J; (1996): Capelinhos: The disappearing volcano. Geology Today 12 (2), 68-72.