" Islands. Isolated islands and a stretched arm like 
a bridge where somebody was waiting going through " .

Fernando Namora

Introduction | Questions | Resources | The Big Question 

Introduction

At the  Atlantic European  boundary ...the archipelago of Azores - land with  a great natural beauty -  is an Autonomous Region  of the Portuguese territory. 

 Its location from a geographic point of view confers an important role to Azores.

Knowing the relationship between the geomorphologic features and the geographical location of Azores it means to  understand how our planet is also a dynamic  system in the geological plan. 

This treasure hunt  on the Internet  aims help you to have a  better understanding  about some aspects of this  Atlantic islands group  of the Europe - the Azores .  This is  our  challenge: guided by a set of  questions you will be  able to  elaborate your reply to a big question .  

Before  starting ,point out the archipelago in relation to the continental Europe and, as a  first scanning stop, click on  the globe picture and find out the Azores. Afterwards,  follow the route answering the 13 presented  questions about  different aspects of the Azores . You will find out each answer visiting  one or two sites, as resources: if you look for very careful (as if it was a real treasure...), you will find it!  Use the help of the resources to solve the questions and at the end you will be certainly able to answer  "the  Big Question " and find the treasure! 

Questions
Write your answers in the textboxes and don't forget to print it in the end

1-   The Archipelago of the Azores is situated in north Atlantic Ocean. How many islands are part of  this archipelago and in which  parallel and meridian  are they located ?  Resources Answer:

2- Identify the biggest island of the Azores. Take note of its geographic coordinates and start  discovering some of its nature treasures. Resources Answer:

3 - Which are the main relief forms that characterize the Island identified in question 2? Resources Answer:

4 - Are there  big differences  in the relief forms  among  the  Azores islands ?  Resources Answer:

5 - "Sete cidades" (" Seven cities ") is  the name of a geomorphologic form with a  great beauty: where is it  located and which is its  origin? Resources Answer:

6 - "Fumarolas" are  examples of superficial forms (of secondary nature) we can find in the Azores. What are fumaroles and why  are there in the Azores?    Resources Answer:

7 -   On account of their geologic features, the Azores are a potential in the field of the energy.  What kind of energy is it? In which island has it already been explored? Resources Answer:

8 -In 1957/58, near  Faial island a geologic phenomenon occurred  What  was it? Which effects were there? Resources Answer:

9 -Although frequent in these islands, in 1998  there was another geological event with a  great intensity that  affected above all the islands of the central group. What happened in fact  and which were the main effects ? Resources Answer:

10 - Why are  the Azores  islands  frequently reached by this kind of natural phenomenon? Resources Answer:

11 - In a million  years, the islands of the Occidental Group will  probably,  have been moved away to West  about 25 km: the distance between this group of islands and the islands of the central group has increased in some centimetres (2.5) per year. How do you explain that? Resources Answer:

12 - This phenomenon affects also other islands of the Atlantic. What  will be able to happen to Iceland due to this movement of removal? Resources Answer:

13 - Such phenomenon  does not happen in the Pacific , a big ocean with many  islands with great geologic activity, . Have you already thought  of that reason ? Resources Answer:

"Big Question"  What is  the relation between the geomorphologic features of the islands of the Azores and their geographic location? Present your explanation  writing it in a postcard  and  send it to minerva@uevora.pt Note: Before sending, print it out (so you will have a copy of your answer).  Resources

© Virtual School, 04-05-2001