Pico Cão Grande, Volcanic plug peak in Caué District, São Tomé and Príncipe.
Cão Grande is a volcanic rock column that rises roughly 370 meters from the surrounding ground. Its needle-like structure of phonolite stone creates a striking vertical formation that dominates the landscape.
The rock column formed roughly 3.5 million years ago during volcanic activity connected to the Cameroon volcanic line. Its first successful ascent occurred in 1991 when Japanese climbers reached the summit.
The name means 'Great Dog' and refers to the rock's shape, which resembles a dog lying down. Local people view this formation as an important landmark that appears in traditional stories about the island.
Visitors should know that climbing here requires technical equipment and experience, making it unsuitable for beginners. Access is by established routes with multiple rope pitches, and difficulty varies based on weather conditions.
The rock belongs to a rare geological formation that differs from typical volcanic stone and provides researchers with insights into unusual magma processes. This scientific aspect makes it of interest to geologists and volcanologists worldwide.
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