Montaña Blanca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montaña Blanca |
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Volcano Montaña Blanca on Teide
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,748 m (9,016 ft) |
| Prominence | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Montaña Blanca
Location in Canary Islands
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| Location | Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain |
Montaña Blanca is a mountain located on Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain. Its name, "Montaña Blanca," means "White Mountain" in Spanish. This is because of the light-colored rocks that cover its surface.
Montaña Blanca sits on the eastern side of the famous Pico del Teide, which is the highest peak in Spain. Montaña Blanca reaches a height of 2,748 meters (about 9,016 feet). This makes it the third-highest peak on Tenerife. Only Pico del Teide (3,718 meters) and Pico Viejo (3,135 meters) are taller.
How Montaña Blanca Was Formed
Montaña Blanca is a type of volcano called a "flank volcano." This means it grew on the side of a larger volcano, in this case, Pico del Teide. It was created by volcanic activity around 50 BC, which happened in three main steps.
First, melted rock, called lava, flowed out from cracks on the eastern side of Pico del Teide. This lava was a special type called phonolitic lava.
Next, the eruption became much more powerful and explosive. It was like a huge burst, sending ash and pumice (lightweight volcanic rock) high into the sky. This giant cloud of ash reached about 15 kilometers (9 miles) high! The ash and pumice then fell over a large area, covering at least 40 square kilometers.
Finally, more lava came out and cooled, forming the round shape you see today, which is called a lava dome. This explosive eruption at Montaña Blanca is the only one of its kind known to have happened in the area around Pico del Teide and Pico Viejo.
Climbing Montaña Blanca
Montaña Blanca is a fantastic spot to enjoy amazing views. It's quite easy to climb, making it a popular destination for hikers.
You can reach the mountain by taking a path that branches off from Sendero trail number 7. This trail starts from a car park on the TF-21 road, located below Montaña Blanca, and leads all the way up to the summit of Teide.
Another way to start your hike is from the El Portillo Visitor Center. From there, you can take trails #1 and #6, or trails #1 and #22, to connect with Sendero #7. No matter which way you choose, you'll be rewarded with incredible scenery!
See also
In Spanish: Montaña Blanca para niños
