With an area of 1216 ha and altitude between 300m and 650m, this protected area formed about 23,000 years ago incorporates a large collapse caldera with 4.3x2.3km in size and 185 km perimeter, The Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz. Are clearly visible its vertical walls in the south and west edges that led to the origin of Serra do Morião and where they are exposed large prisms resulting from the prismatic disjunction of a powerfull traquibasaltic mass. The north and east edges of this massive show up dismantled by eruptions that occurred after its formation.
The interior of the crater with the flattened bottow are partially covered by recent basaltic disposed, from the area of Algar do Carvão, comprises a major suspended aquifer, evidenced by the many springs that occur in the outer slopes of the massive, as for example Furna D'Agua, captured for public suppy.
The classification of this protected area is based on the conservation of this importante water resource. Throught the preservation of geological formations and native vegetation formation present, for example the sphagnum peat (Sphagnum sp), is assure the water infiltration and the recharge os the aquifers of the zone.
Species of endemic flora present, we stress the Heather (Erica azorica) and the Laurel (Laurus Azorica).
On this protected area breeding avifauna is also very rich, and we highlight the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), the Azores Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus azorica), the Robin (Eithacus rubecula rubecula) etc
Also, as another unique feature, the only mammal endemic to the Azores, known as the Azorean Bat is also sometimes observed here.
About this Earthcache
Tasks to perform on GZ:
a) name another one of the springs that occur in the outer slopes of the massive and that are captured for public supply.
b) name one other vegetation formation that assure the water infiltration and the recharge of the aquifers of the zone.
c) name another species of endemic flora present at the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz.
d) name another two species of breeding avifauna of this protected area.
e) What signs do you see of humanized landscape?
Also, and despite being optional , please take a photo in Caldeira Guilherme Moniz with your GPS and show it with your log.
Send the responses via my geocaching profile and enjoy your visit.
Send e-mail responses and image to netuseraz (at) hotmail (dot) com before performing the log cache.
I will give feedback to authorize the log.