Jump to content

Madeira Island: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 32°39′4″N 16°54′35″W / 32.65111°N 16.90972°W / 32.65111; -16.90972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ft → mi
Line 93: Line 93:
'''Madeira''' is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] island, and is the largest and most populous of the [[Madeira Archipelago]]. It has an area of 740.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2011, Madeira had a total population of 262,456.
'''Madeira''' is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] island, and is the largest and most populous of the [[Madeira Archipelago]]. It has an area of 740.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2011, Madeira had a total population of 262,456.


The island is the top of a massive submerged [[shield volcano]] that rises about {{convert|6|km|ft|abbr=on}} from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east-west [[rift]]<ref>Geldemacher et al., 2000</ref><ref>Ribeiro, 2001</ref> in the [[oceanic crust]] along the [[African Plate]], beginning during the [[Miocene]] epoch over 5&nbsp;million years ago, continuing into the [[Pleistocene]] until about 700,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref name="GVP">{{cite gvp| vn=382120 | title=Madeira}}</ref> This was followed by extensive [[erosion]], producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing [[scoria cone]]s and [[lava flow]]s atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500&nbsp;years ago, creating more [[cinder cone]]s and lava flows.<ref name="GVP"/>
The island is the top of a massive submerged [[shield volcano]] that rises about {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east-west [[rift]]<ref>Geldemacher et al., 2000</ref><ref>Ribeiro, 2001</ref> in the [[oceanic crust]] along the [[African Plate]], beginning during the [[Miocene]] epoch over 5&nbsp;million years ago, continuing into the [[Pleistocene]] until about 700,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref name="GVP">{{cite gvp| vn=382120 | title=Madeira}}</ref> This was followed by extensive [[erosion]], producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing [[scoria cone]]s and [[lava flow]]s atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500&nbsp;years ago, creating more [[cinder cone]]s and lava flows.<ref name="GVP"/>


Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of {{convert|741|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, a length of {{convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} (from Ponte de São Lourenço to Ponte do Pargo), while approximately {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} at its widest point (from Ponte da Cruz to Ponte São Jorge), with a coastline of {{convert|150|km|-1|abbr=on}}. It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching {{convert|1862|m|ft|abbr=off}} at its highest point ([[Pico Ruivo]]), while much lower (below 200 metres) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1,862 m), Torres (1,851 m), Arieiro (1,818 m), Cidrão (1,802 m), Cedro (1,759 m), Casado (1,725 m), Grande (1,657 m), Ferreiro (1,582 m). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for [[calcium oxide]] production). Sea cliffs, such as [[Cabo Girão]], valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|title=MadeiraHelp.com|publisher=MadeiraHelp.com|date=22 February 1999|accessdate=30 July 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731015932/http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|archivedate=31 July 2010|df=}}</ref> Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.<ref>Robert White, 1851, p.4</ref>
Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of {{convert|741|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, a length of {{convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} (from Ponte de São Lourenço to Ponte do Pargo), while approximately {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} at its widest point (from Ponte da Cruz to Ponte São Jorge), with a coastline of {{convert|150|km|-1|abbr=on}}. It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching {{convert|1862|m|ft|abbr=off}} at its highest point ([[Pico Ruivo]]), while much lower (below 200 metres) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1,862 m), Torres (1,851 m), Arieiro (1,818 m), Cidrão (1,802 m), Cedro (1,759 m), Casado (1,725 m), Grande (1,657 m), Ferreiro (1,582 m). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for [[calcium oxide]] production). Sea cliffs, such as [[Cabo Girão]], valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|title=MadeiraHelp.com|publisher=MadeiraHelp.com|date=22 February 1999|accessdate=30 July 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731015932/http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|archivedate=31 July 2010|df=}}</ref> Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.<ref>Robert White, 1851, p.4</ref>

Revision as of 22:11, 30 April 2019

This article is about the homonym main island on the Archipelago and Autonomous Region of Madeira. For other uses, see Madeira (disambiguation).
Madeira
Satellite image of Madeira
Location of Madeira
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates32°39′4″N 16°54′35″W / 32.65111°N 16.90972°W / 32.65111; -16.90972
ArchipelagoMadeira Archipelago
Adjacent toAtlantic Ocean
Area740.7 km2 (286.0 sq mi)
Highest pointPico Ruivo
1,862 m (6,109 ft)
Administration
Portugal
Autonomous RegionAutonomous Region of Madeira
Capital and largest CityFunchal
Demographics
Population267,785 (2011)

Madeira is a Portuguese island, and is the largest and most populous of the Madeira Archipelago. It has an area of 740.7 km2, including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2011, Madeira had a total population of 262,456.

The island is the top of a massive submerged shield volcano that rises about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east-west rift[1][2] in the oceanic crust along the African Plate, beginning during the Miocene epoch over 5 million years ago, continuing into the Pleistocene until about 700,000 years ago.[3] This was followed by extensive erosion, producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing scoria cones and lava flows atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500 years ago, creating more cinder cones and lava flows.[3]

Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of 741 km2 (286 sq mi), a length of 57 km (35 mi) (from Ponte de São Lourenço to Ponte do Pargo), while approximately 22 km (14 mi) at its widest point (from Ponte da Cruz to Ponte São Jorge), with a coastline of 150 km (90 mi). It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching 1,862 metres (6,109 feet) at its highest point (Pico Ruivo), while much lower (below 200 metres) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1,862 m), Torres (1,851 m), Arieiro (1,818 m), Cidrão (1,802 m), Cedro (1,759 m), Casado (1,725 m), Grande (1,657 m), Ferreiro (1,582 m). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for calcium oxide production). Sea cliffs, such as Cabo Girão, valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.[4] Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.[5]

See also

  • Madeira, the archipelago and Autonomous Region named after Madeira Island

References

  1. ^ Geldemacher et al., 2000
  2. ^ Ribeiro, 2001
  3. ^ a b "Madeira". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
  4. ^ "MadeiraHelp.com". MadeiraHelp.com. 22 February 1999. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Robert White, 1851, p.4
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madeira_Island&oldid=894929593"