Algar do Carvão

Welcome to the Ahl-gar doh Kar-vow, a natural monument that offers one of the most extraordinary geological experiences in the world. Located in the central highlands of Terceira Island, this site is a dormant volcanic chimney—a…

Our descent begins as we leave the modern visitor center and enter a long, echoing concrete tunnel. This tunnel was constructed to allow safe and easy access to the heart of the volcano, bypassing the vertical drop that early…

From the natural entrance, we begin our descent into the main cavern via a series of well-maintained stairs. This is the 'comfortably visitable' part of the volcano, allowing us to descend deeper than in almost any other volcanic…

At the very bottom of the Algar do Carvão, you will find a hidden treasure: a crystal-clear underground lake. This pool is fed by rainwater that filters through the porous volcanic rock and the main chimney opening above. …

As we begin our ascent back up, take a closer look at the walls of the chimney. The geology here tells the 'eruption history' of Terceira. …

The history of human exploration in the Algar do Carvão is as fascinating as its geology. The first recorded descent into the cavern took place in January of eighteen ninety-three, led by Cândido de Menezes and José Augusto…

As you emerge from the tunnel back into the surface world, take a moment to look around at the surrounding landscape. The Algar do Carvão is situated in the 'forest of Seda,' a high-altitude area of Terceira characterized by…

As we conclude our tour of the Algar do Carvão, I hope you carry with you a sense of the 'extraordinary wonder' that this site represents. We have traveled nearly one hundred meters into the heart of an extinct volcano,…