Sete Cidades Massif, Volcanic crater lakes in São Miguel, Portugal
Sete Cidades Massif is a volcanic complex with two crater lakes on São Miguel in the Azores. The lakes Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul sit at about 856 m elevation and display different colors due to their depth and water composition, connected by a narrow waterway.
The massif formed through major collapse events around 35,700, 28,750, and 15,740 years ago following explosive eruptions. These ancient volcanic upheavals shaped the crater basins that now hold the lakes.
Local stories tell of a princess and a shepherd whose tears formed the two lakes with their different colors. People still connect these waters to that ancient love story.
The site is reached from Ponta Delgada via marked trails circling the crater rim. Good footwear is recommended since the paths cross rocky volcanic terrain that can be uneven and slippery in wet conditions.
The two lakes shift in color throughout the day depending on light and weather conditions. Despite being linked by a narrow waterway, they maintain separate water properties in a rare natural pattern.
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