Project Description
The powerful lava flows of Los Ancones from the pleistocene volcanic cone of Montaña Corona, reached the old coastline and got into the sea, forming one of the most pronounced capes on the eastern coast of Lanzarote. Its situation on the shallow coast resulted in lava/water contact explosive processes, and the formation of spectacular pseudo-craters on the surface. The pseudo-craters are morphologically similar to a volcanic cone and are made up by balistic projection materials, mainly soldered, around an emission centre. As opposed to emission centres that are places where magma reaches the surface from a magmatic channel or a dyke. The pseudo-craters do not have magmatic roots, as they aren’t linked to a dyke but to a current of lava. The presence of these prominent relieves over the lava flow, have favoured the dismantling and the creation of multiple endorheic plains located among the pseudo-craters, accumulating a large quantity of fine material.
The main interest of Los Ancones is volcanological. It also has a geomorphological and sedimentological interest. Its state of preservation is excellent and it has very good observation conditions, including an access route and several low difficulty paths that allow for the geosite to be crossed through the pseudo-craters or following the coastline. There is significant geological diversity that supports the presence of different habitats.