A new volcanic cavity was recently discovered on the island of Pico, in the Azores, surprising technicians and local residents. Named Gruta de Santana, this natural formation is 170 meters long and, in some areas, can reach up to five meters in height. Despite the potential for tourist visits, access, for now, is restricted to technicians from environmental services in the Azores.
Accidental find
The discovery happened accidentally while carrying out electrical work on a street in the parish of Santo António, on the island of Pico. By drilling into the ground, teams found a narrow passage that led to the revelation of this new, previously unknown cave.
The Azores are known for the richness of their volcanic formations, which include more than 300 natural cavities distributed across the various islands of the archipelago. However, not all of them are accessible to the public due to safety and environmental preservation limitations. With this new discovery, the island of Pico adds another cave to the more than 140 already cataloged on its territory, as cited by .
“The volcanic cavity is 170 meters long and could even receive visitors”, indicated technicians who have been following preliminary studies on the cave. However, there are still no concrete plans for opening to the public, as rigorous assessments are needed to ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the site.
Azores: a natural museum
The Santana Cave thus joins the impressive set of natural formations that make the Azores a unique destination for geology and nature lovers. While we await more information about the future of the cave, this find highlights the richness of the archipelago’s volcanic heritage, which continues to surprise with unexpected discoveries.
With the potential to become a new attraction, Gruta de Santana reinforces the role of the Azores as a true open-air natural museum, where the interaction between man and the environment remains in constant evolution.
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