Estreito, Geological site in Ponta de São Lourenço Peninsula, Madeira, Portugal
Estreito is a geological site on the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula in Madeira, located at about 85 meters above sea level. The cliffs display volcanic and sedimentary rock layers stacked on top of each other like pages in an open book.
The rock layers at this location formed over millions of years through repeated volcanic eruptions followed by erosion from water and wind. These processes shaped the framework of the entire Madeira archipelago.
The rock formations here attract geology researchers who study the volcanic history of the island and document the layered structures. Visitors can see how different types of stone sit side by side, telling the natural story of the region.
This site is reachable via a marked hiking trail that connects to the main path of the peninsula and features information signs along the way. Sturdy footwear is important because the paths can be steep and sometimes slippery, especially when wet.
At this spot, different types of volcanic rock meet and create distinctive patterns in the cliff faces. This mixing of different rock types is uncommon and shows how intricate the geological processes were during island formation.
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