Monchique Islet

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Monchique Islet (Ilhéu de Monchique)
Islets (Ilhéus)
The waters around Monchique, showing the vertical prominence of the islet
Country  Portugal
Autonomous region  Azores
Islands Eastern Group
Location Azores Platform, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean
Archipelago Azores
Highest point
 - location Fajã Grande, Lajes das Flores, Azores
 - elevation 34 m (112 ft)
 - coordinates 39°29′43″N 31°16′30″W / 39.49528°N 31.27500°W / 39.49528; -31.27500
Lowest point Sea level
 - location Atlantic Ocean, Fajã Grande, Lajes das Flores
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Biome Marine biology
Geology Basalt
Orogeny Volcanism
Period Holocene
Location of the island of Flores in the archipelago of the Azores

The Monchique Islet (Portuguese: Ilhéu de Monchique) is a small islet, west of the village of Fajã Grande, off the coast of the island of Flores, in the western part of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It lies just over 1 mile (1.6 km) north-northwest of Ponta de Fenais, and is considered the westernmost point of Europe.

The islet and the waters around it are protected for its rich biodiversity; ninety-six species of flora and fauna have been identified congregating on or in the waters of the islet, including the species of Dictyota dichotoma, Patella aspera ulyssiponensis, Megabalanus sp. Coris and julis.

Approachable only by boat, the bay, which has water depth of about 43 metres (141 ft), provides opportunities for scuba diving during the day in the summer.[1]

History

Historically, it functioned as an astronomical (celestial) navigational guide and reference mark for mariners, who calibrated their navigational equipment by referencing the islet on long Atlantic crossings.[2][3][4][5] Its unique geological formation also attracted visitors travelling between Europe and America, intersecting here on their way to the ports of Lajes or Santa Cruz ports of Flores Island. The steep rock slopes of the islet and shoreline served as shelter from strong offshore gales.

Geography

Location map of the islet of Monchique near the island of Flores

The islet is located more than 1 mile (1.6 km) north-northwest of the island of Flores, in a bay between Ponta de Fenais (Point Fanaes or Fanais Port)[6] and Fajã Grande. The islet is actually located on the North American Plate between the two westernmost Azorean islands of Flores and Corvo.

The islet is a solid monolith of black basaltic rock consisting of a vertical wall formation, remnants of a coastal volcanic cone, eroded by ocean forces. It extends steeply to a height of 34 metres (112 ft) above sea level. It was formed from irregular lava flows that produced many submarine cavities along the islet's relief, with sand and boulders accumulated around the shoreline overtime. The islet is an elevated area that includes two rock outcroppings above the water's surface.[7][8][9]

A deep channel separates the Monchique Islet from the shoreline, with only a rock outcrop called the Baxio Raza separating it from the shore. Since the channel is between 45 metres (148 ft) and 55 metres (180 ft) metres depth, ships were able to anchor in the bay, aiding visitors to the area and providing shelter from storms. The deep channel, through which ships may navigate with care (while still avoiding some surface rocks) is considered safe for navigation. The Baxia Rasa rock formation extends over a length of 0.4 miles (0.64 km), a rough terrain situated to the west of Ponta de Fenais.[7]

Biome

The maximum depth of water in the coastal channel is 40 metres (130 ft), with water temperatures varying between 17–23 °C (63–73 °F).[1] The islet is the centre of a region of great biodiversity, with 96 identified species, with a Margalef index of 11.0 biodiversity. The flora along its flanks are dominated by Dictyota dichotoma, an iridescent brown algae, while numerous faunal species of gastropods Patella ulyssiponensis (locally referred to as lapas or wild limpets) and Megabalanus (a species of barnacle), as well as Coris julis (Mediterranean rainbow wrasse). Shellfish species, including ulyssiponensis Patella aspera and Megabalanus sp. (barnacles) are also found in the inner straits, in addition to plenty of kingfish.

Measures to conserve the islet and its waters, fall under the Plano do Ordenamento da Orla Costeira (POOC) Flores, which identifies the islet as part of an area of conservation and preservation both for ecological and tourist requirements.[1] The islet itself is identified as "vulnerable" and designated areas have been marked for terrestrial and marine species protection, limiting the use and access to the islet and surrounding waters.[10][11]

Tourism

Visits to Flores are considered ideal in spring (around June) or early summer (around July) when the weather is good and vegetation is green and flowers bloom.[12] The nearest airport to the islet is Flores Airport in Santa Cruz das Flores, located on the other side of the island. Locally, the islet is only accessible by boat.

The water around the coast is suitable for scuba diving as the underwater visibility is good in the warm, clear and clean waters of the ocean. There is an advisory which states diving in these waters should be done only during day time as taking precautionary measure to avoid any surprises from the currents in the sea flows.[4][13] Kayakers can travel to Monchique Islet from Flores Island.[1][14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Ilhéu de Monchique". Scubazores. Retrieved 4 December 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Europe Map". Maps of World. Retrieved 2 December 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Island of natural wonders...". Destinazores Azores Tourist Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2010. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Spot de Mergulho: Ilhéu de Monchique, Ilha das Flores, Portugal". Skaphandrus.com. Retrieved 3 December 2010. 
  5. ↑ "Reserva de la Biosfera por la UNESCO". Guia dos Acores-Ilha das Flores. Retrieved 3 December 2010. 
  6. ↑ Purdy, John (1845). Alex G. Findlay, ed. Memoir, descriptive and explanatory, to accompany the general chart of the Northern ocean, Davis' strait and Baffin's bay (9 ed.). London, England: R.H. Laurie. p. 382. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Atlantic navigator (4 ed.). London, England: James Imray and Son. 1854. pp. 215, 219. Retrieved 2 December 2010. 
  8. ↑ Atlantic Navigator. BoD – Books on Demand,. 2010. pp. 215–216. ISBN 3-86195-170-3. Retrieved 4 December 2010. 
  9. ↑ National Geospatial-intelligence Agency (2005). Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 West Coast of Europe & Northwest Africa Enroute. ProStar Publications. p. 146. ISBN 1-57785-660-0. Retrieved 4 December 2010. 
  10. ↑ DROTRH, ed. (2009). "POOC Flores". 
  11. ↑ Plano de Ordanemento da Orla Costeira da ilha das Flores (Decreto No.24/2008A) (in Portuguese) (230) (1 ed.). Diário da República. 26 November 2008. 
  12. ↑ "History". Amazing Tours. Retrieved December 2, 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Scuba Dive Site: Ilhéu de Monchique, Flores Island, Portugal". Skaphndrus.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010. 
  14. ↑ "Why Travel to Flores and Corvo?". Flores and Corvo Travel Guide. Retrieved 4 December 2010. 
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