Cratère de la Vestide du Pal, Volcanic crater in Le Roux, France.
Cratère de la Vestide du Pal is a volcanic crater with a diameter of about 1700 meters and depth of roughly 150 meters, forming a circular structure with a southwestern opening. The surrounding landscape features forests and meadows that frame this distinctive geological formation.
The crater formed roughly 40,000 years ago through a phreatomagmatic eruption when molten lava at extreme temperatures encountered surface water. This collision between heat and water created the explosive event that shaped the crater as it appears today.
The name Vestide comes from local dialect meaning abandoned or barren land, reflecting how people understood the volcanic nature of this place. This choice of words shows the historical perspective of those who lived nearby.
Visitors can explore the area through various routes, with a popular circular trail starting from the Fontaulière intersection that covers about 6.3 kilometers and follows green GR7 path markers. The walk passes through mixed forests and open meadows, offering a pleasant journey with changing views.
Inside the crater sit five small basaltic scoria cones, which represent a rare feature of this volcanic site. Even more notable is the rare chlorophyll-free Epipogon orchid, which grows exclusively at this location in the region.
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