Cueva de los verdes, Islas Canarias, Spain
N 29° 09.622 W 013° 26.316
28R E 651854 N 3226761
Cueva de los verdes, Islas Canarias, Spain
Waymark Code: WMDNEN
Location: Islas Canarias, Spain
Date Posted: 02/05/2012
Views: 15
This cache leads you to another highlight of Lanzarote: the cueva de los verdes. The inside temperature is about 22°C, so you probably want to take a pullover with you. Some seriously narrow and poorly lighted staircases must be passed.
This is the one of the world’s longest volcanic cave system with a total length of about 7km. About 1km is prepared and opened for the public.
This cave has been created by a flood of lava from an eruption of a nearby volcano some 3.000 years ago. It is a so called "lava tube".
Lava usually flows down from the top of the volcano in channels. While the inner part of these channels stays hot, the outer mass cools down by contact with the surrounding air, water or ground. So it slowly stops flowing and gets solid while the inner stream of still liquid lava flows down further on (down to sea level into the sea in this case). The remaining solidified lava forms an empty tunnel – like the cueva de los verdes.
Often these caves consist of a main lava tube and a series of other, smaller tubes that either lead to other directions (especially when flowing down on rough ground) or supply one front of the flow altogether.
Sometimes the ceiling of the tunnel breaks down and forms kinds of "skylights". Here on Lanzarote, one of these sites is today the "jameo del agua", only a short trip from the cueva de los verdes away.
The cave system consists of two galleries, the lower one and the upper one. At the walls in the inner of the cave, solidified remains of several different lava types can be found.
After paying the entrance fee (April 2008: 8 EUR for adults) you have to wait for the next tour guide, who takes you and your group for a walk of about 1km and about 50min length with many detailed information on the geological history of the caves (in Spanish and English language). The caves are skilfully lighted, and some atmospheric music is played, so the tour through the caves is a multi-sense experience.
The cave is quite dark. Take a tripod with you to take photos without using the flash, because the nice atmosphere does not survive being illuminated with a flash.
Type of Land: State Park
Managed By: don't know
Contact Info: don't know
Website: [Web Link]
Type of Cave: Lava Cave
Contains Stalactites: no
Contains Stalagmites: no
Contains Bats: no
Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a digital photograph of the cave which documents your visit and any information that may be helpful for future visitors.