“Capelinhos Volcano was responsible for the creation of a unique natural heritage,” says Alonso Miguel

Sept. 28, 2022

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change said Tuesday that the eruption of the Capelinhos Volcano was “responsible for the creation of a unique natural heritage and one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Azores”.

Alonso Miguel, who was speaking at the opening session of the commemorations of the 65th anniversary at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre, recalled that “this phenomenon changed the world, being the first submarine volcano to be properly studied and documented throughout its activity, therefore, always arousing the interest of the national and international scientific community”.

“Its classification as a Natural Monument has enhanced the landscape in the context of the Azores Protected Areas Network, promoting the preservation of the integrity of its natural, scenic, scientific, cultural and historical values,” he pointed out.

The governor said that the landscape is also part of the Special Area of Conservation and the Caldeira e Capelinhos Special Protection Area, under the Natura 2000 network, and is also recognized as a geosite of international relevance of the Azores Geopark, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Regional Secretary said that “the inhospitable landscape of the Capelinhos Volcano attracts thousands of visitors every year" and that, in 2008, "with the construction of this magnificent Interpretation Centre, the necessary conditions were created for an orderly visitation, heritage safeguarding and understanding of the phenomenon by those who visit this site”.

Alonso Miguel took the opportunity to announce that “soon” it is intended that the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre to be “equipped with mobile digital resources, which will allow greater inclusion in access to information, presenting more detailed content for the more curious, audioguides for the blind and access to information through sign language”.

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change said that as part of the celebrations, the Executive is promoting over the next few days a set of activities to be developed in the area surrounding the Volcano.

Alonso Miguel finished his speech by highlighting the “extraordinary testimonies of those who witnessed the phenomenon up close, lived through the events, and had to deal with its consequences.”

“Everyone has a different story, but one that comes together on this tragic day, whose memories are marked and eternalized with this commemoration,” he concluded.