Volcanic Complex of Geothermal Springs in Furnas, Azores

Furnas is one of the largest parishes in the island of Sao Miguel, Azores and is popular for its geothermal activity. The town with a population of fewer than 2000 people is located in the historically active Volcanic Complex of Furnas.

According to the Information Centre

The Furnas Volcano is a major dormant volcano of silicious nature, with a summit subsidence caldera. The huge volcanic depression is 8 x 5.6km in size and includes an important geodiversity. This geodiversity is expressed by the Furnas lake, several small-size volcanic landforms, fumarolic fields and many types of thermal and mineral waters, which are part of the 'Furnas Hydrapolis'.

Visitors to Furnas can see and spend time at a number of natural attractions like the Furnas lake (Lagoa das Furnas), the gardens and thermal pool at Terra Nostra as well as the numerous geysers, hot-springs and fumaroles scattered all over the centre of the village. Some of the geysers and fumaroles were spewing out hot, steamy water while we could hear the sound of boiling, bubbling mud coming from some. You can walk around the village and find geysers, big and small, in many different locations. There was a strong smell of Sulphur in the air but the village is definitely worth a visit as the geysers and fumaroles are quite a phenomenon!