No latest activity reported for Pico.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Franca Z T M, Tassinari C C G, Cruz J V, Aparicio A Y, Arana V, Rodrigues B N, 2006. Petrology, geochemistry and Sr--Nd--Pb isotopes of the volcanic rocks from Pico Islan--Azores (Portugal). {J Volc Geotherm Res}: 156: 71-89

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. {IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior}.

Machado F, 1982. Excursion guide for field trip V3, Islands of Fayal and Pico. {Proc Internatl Symp Activity Oceanic Volc, Archipelago Univ Azores}, 3: 343-349

Neumann van Padang M, Richards A F, Machado F, Bravo T, Baker P E, Le Maitre R W, 1967. Atlantic Ocean. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 21: 1-128

Nunes J C, Camacho A, Franca Z, Montesinos F G, Alves M, Vieira R, Velez E, Ortiz E, 2006. Gravity anomalies and crustal signature of volcano-tectonic structures of Pico Island (Azores). {J Volc Geotherm Res}: 156: 55-70

Zbyszewski G, Ribeiro Ferreira C, Veiga Ferreira O da, Torre de Assuncao C, 1963. Geological map of Ilha do Pico (Azores). {Servicos Geologicos Portugal}, two 1:50,000 scale maps with 25 and 21 p texts (in Portuguese)

A prominent 2351-m-high stratovolcano occupying the western end of Pico Island is the highest volcano in the Azores. Pico volcano lies west of on an older linear volcano with numerous flank cones that forms most of the 48-km-long island. The conical, dominantly basaltic Pico volcano was constructed over the Montanha volcanic complex on the eastern side of the island and is capped by a 500-m-wide summit crater that is overtopped by a small steep-sided cone. Historical eruptions have been restricted to the flanks of Pico volcano and to the SE-trending rift zone, the Sao Roque Piedade volcanic complex, which is dotted by pyroclastic cones. An eruption during 1562-64 from the SE rift zone produced lava flows that reached the northern coast. An eruption from a nearby vent issued lava flows that traveled into the sea on the southern side of the island. A flank eruption from Pico in 1718 fed lava flows that reached both coasts.