Formica Leo, Volcanic crater in Sainte-Rose, France
Formica Leo is a volcanic cone in Sainte-Rose consisting of two overlapping craters at roughly 2200 meters elevation. The crater walls are covered with black and reddish volcanic pebbles that create a stark landscape.
The crater was named in 1768 by Joseph Hubert during an expedition through the Enclos Fouqué caldera at Piton de la Fournaise. It represents a relatively young volcanic feature in the region.
French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent conducted the first scientific examination of the crater formation in 1801 at Réunion Island.
The site is accessible via a hiking trail of about 3 kilometers that takes roughly one hour and climbs about 200 meters in elevation. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential as the terrain is volcanic and exposed.
The southeastern crater is notably larger than its northwestern counterpart and displays more intense coloring in its lava rocks. This makes the two formations visually quite distinct at first glance.
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