Fajã de Fernando Afonso

Fajã de Fernando Afonso
Debris Field (Fajã)
The abandoned debris field of Fajã de Fernando Afonso, used to cultivate small vineyards
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Azores
Group Central
Island São Jorge
Municipality Velas
Civil parish Rosais
Coordinates 38°44′38″N 28°15′50″W / 38.74389°N 28.26389°W / 38.74389; -28.26389Coordinates: 38°44′38″N 28°15′50″W / 38.74389°N 28.26389°W / 38.74389; -28.26389
Biomes Temperate, Mediterranean
Geology Alkali basalt, Tephra, Trachyte, Trachybasalt
Orogeny Volcanism
Period Holocene
For public Public
Visitation Accessible by foot, yet restricted during periods of inclimate weather
Easiest access By dirt trail between Fajã Amaro da Cunha and Fajã Mata Sete
Geographic detail from Portuguese Army map[1]

The Fajã de Fernando Afonso is a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Rosais, in the municipality of Velas, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

History

The view from the scenic overlook leading to the fajã in the Sete Fontes Recreational Park

The fajã was named for an early settler that occupied a home at the base of the cliff.

Following the 1 January 1980 earthquake the area was temporarily abandoned, owing to its instability and the aftershocks. Because of the danger, farmers returned to the area to only cultivate their small vineyards. A subsequent aftershock was responsible for the destruction of an important fountain bringing fresh water to the area. There are a few houses on this fajã used by some residents during the growing season, when the cultivation of assorted vegetables, potatoes and vineyards.

Situated between Fajã Amaro da Cunha and Fajã Mata Sete, the area is part of the Park of Sete Fontes and can be seen by a scenic overlook (the Miradouro da Fajã de Fernando Afonso).

References

  1. Map nr. 15 Velas (S. Jorge, Açores) 1:25,000, Instituto Geográfico do Exército, retrieved 1 December 2015

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, February 09, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.