Project Description
Islote de Hilario is one of the most original islets or kipukas in the Canary Islands, and it stands out from other islets because it is covered by the pyroclasts of the Timanfaya eruption of 1730-1736. However, the main characteristic of this geosite is the presence of thermal anomalies. This area registers the highest thermal anomalies in the Canary Islands. Nowadays, on the surface the temperatures reach around 250 ºC, and they can even reach more than 600 ºC, 13 m deep. The survival of this thermal anomaly has promoted a traditional use as well as tourist exploitation based on activities being done to check the temperature of the materials on the surface. The creation of artificial geysers by introducing cold water in artificial surveys, the introduction of plants in a hole to observe its spontaneous combustion, installing furnaces for restoration, etc. At the summit of Islote de Hilario there is a restaurant where visitors can enjoy the impressive view of the Timanfaya National Park.
This geosite has a main volcanological interest (geothermal) and a geomorphological secondary interest. Islote de Hilario is one of the main elements of the visit to the Timanfaya National Park. This geosite is part of the internationally renowned geosite Geosite “VC007 Parque Nacional de Timanfaya”.