Candidatura Reserva da Biosfera - Santana Madeira Biosfera

Beyond the various lava emmiting centers of this volcanic complex, there are still
in Santana some forms associated with secondary volcanic activity. Of these, Pico
Redondo Peak located east of Arco de São Jorge and Pico da Boneca, a volcanic cinder
cone located between the Ponta do Clérigo and Ilhéu da Viúva Islet, in the vicinity of the
coastline are the best examples.
After the large eruptive events, the weathering of effusive materials and
pyroclastic formations gave rise to other geomorphological of sedimentary character such
as slope and alluvial deposits, present beaches and Fajãs, of which the Faja da Penha de
Águia, born in February 1992 as a result of the collapse of a portion of the rock mass of
the cliff that gave its name, is the most recent case.
The characteristics in terms of geology, geomorphology and soils of Santana
correspond to its full extent to Madeira’s island geological aspects. Santana’s territory
extends from the sea to the highest peaks of Madeira and therefore, corresponds entirely
to a representation of the orographic, climate and geological features of Madeira Island.
The maximum elevation of Madeira corresponds to Pico Ruivo of Santana peak
whose summit is located 1861 meters above sea level. The relief is generally hilly, with
an asymmetry between the northern and southern parts of the Island resulting from the
recoil of the sea cliffs of the north coast, most exposed to the oceanic hydrodynamic
regime and the prevailing NE trade winds. Another defining characteristic for the relief of
the island is its high average elevation, which combined with strong rainfall, is
responsible for the occurrence of many deep valleys with torrential characteristics.
78 Application of Santana, Madeira to Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO - MAB