Puy de Louchadière, Dormant volcano in Saint-Ours, France
The Puy de Louchadière is a dormant volcano featuring a horseshoe-shaped crater that opens toward the southwest and rises to about 1,200 meters. The entire peak remains covered in dense forest, making it the northernmost major volcano in the Chaîne des Puys chain.
The volcano erupted approximately 38,000 years ago, a period marked by significant magnetic changes in the Earth. The cooling lava preserves these ancient magnetic signals that scientists continue to study.
The name comes from the Auvergnat dialect, referring to the distinctive shape of the breached crater that resembles a chair. Visitors can observe this characteristic form from different angles as they approach the summit.
Visitors can reach the summit via a trail on the southwest slope, though the dense forest covering the peak makes the ascent somewhat challenging. Sturdy footwear and care around roots and uneven ground are recommended.
Beneath the volcano lies a water system built during the 1950s that supplies drinking water to dozens of municipalities in the surrounding area. This underground network demonstrates how the volcano's geology continues to serve the local population today.
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