No latest activity reported for Picos Volcanic System.

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.

Booth B, Croasdale R, Walker G P L, 1978. A quantitative study of five thousand years of volcanism on Sao Miguel, Azores. {Phil Trans Roy Soc London}, Ser A, 288: 271-319

Martins J A, 1982. Excursion guide for field trip V1, Island of Sao Miguel. {Proc Internatl Symp Activity Oceanic Volc, Archipelago Univ Azores}, 3: 315-328

Moore R B, 1990. Volcanic geology and eruption frequency, Sao Miguel, Azores. {Bull Volc}, 52: 602-614

Moore R B, 1991. Geologic map of Sao Miguel, Azores. {U S Geol Surv Map}, I-2007

Solgevik H, Mattsson H B, Hermelin O, 2007. Growth of an emergent tuff cone: fragmentation and depositional processes recorded in the Capelas tuff cone, Sao Miguel, Azores. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 159: 246-266

Zbyszewski G, Moitinho de Almeida F, Veiga Ferreira O da, Torre de Assuncao C, 1958. Geologic map of Sao Miguel (Azores). {Servicos Geologicos Portugal}, two 1:50,000 scale maps with 22 and 37 p texts (in Portuguese)

Nearly 200 scoria cones of the Picos volcanic system dot the "waist" of Sao Miguel Island between Sete Cidades and Agua de Pau volcanoes. This monogenetic fissure-controlled, dominantly basaltic volcanism, much of which post-dates the roughly 5000-year-old Fogo eruption, cannot be assigned to either volcano and appears related to en-echelon fissures overlying a fracture zone. Thick pumice deposits thought to originate from the Picos volcanic system may have originated from vents or a caldera destroyed and now buried by young basaltic volcanism. The most noteworthy of the young vents is 485-m-high Serra Gorda, SE of Siete Cidades, and the cone that produced a lava delta south of Agua de Paul village. The majority of the inhabitants of Sao Miguel Island occupy both coasts below this volcanic zone. At least 18 eruptions have occurred during the past 2800 years, although the only historical eruption occurred in 1652. The most recent activity has been basaltic, however two more-explosive trachytic eruptions occurred during the past 1100 years.