La Palma , like the other islands of the Canary Island archipelago, is a volcanic ocean islands. The   volcano   rises   almost   7   km      above   the   floor   of   the Atlantic   Ocean.   There   is   road   access   from   sea   level   to   the summit   at   2,426   m,   which   is   marked   by   an   outcrop   of   rocks   called   Los   Muchachos.   This   is   the   site   of   the   Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, one of the world's premier astronomical observatories. La   Palma's   geography   is   a   result   of   the   volcanic      formation   of   the   island.   The   highest   peaks   reach   over   2,400   m     above   sea   level,   and   the   base   of   the   island   is   located   almost   4,000   m   below   sea   level.   The   northern   part   of   La Palma   is   dominated   by   the   Caldera Taburiente,   with   a   width   of   9   km      and   a   depth   of   1,500   m.   It   is   surrounded   by a   ring   of   mountains   ranging   from   1,600   m   to   2,400   m      in   height.   On   its   northern   side   is the   exposed   remains   of   the   original   seamount.   Only   the   deep   Barranco   de   las Angustias ravine leads into the inner area of the caldera, which is a national park. It   can   be   reached   only   by   hiking.   The   outer   slopes   are   cut   by   numerous   gorges   which run   from   2,000   m      down   to   the   sea.   Today,   only   few   of   these   carry   water   due   to   the many water tunnels that have been cut into the islands structure. From   the   Caldera   de   Taburiente   to   the   south   runs   the   ridge   Cumbre   Nueva.   The southern   part   of   La   Palma   consists   of   the   Cumbre   Vieja,   a   volcanic   ridge   formed   by numerous   volcanic   cones   built   of   lava   and   scoria.   The   Cumbre   Vieja   is   active   –   but dormant,   with   the   last   eruption   occurring   in   1971   at   the   Teneguía   vent   which   is   located at   the   southern   end   of   the   Cumbre   Vieja   –   Punta   de   Fuencaliente.   Beyond   Punta   de Fuencaliente,   the   Cumbre   Vieja   continues   in   a   southerly   direction   as   a   submarine volcano. Since   the   Spanish   occupation,   there   have   been   seven   eruptions   –   all   of   which   have occurred   on   the   Cumbre   Vieja:   1470–1492   Montaña   Quemada   .   1585   Tajuya   near   El Paso   .   1646 Volcán   San   Martin   .   1677     Volcán   San Antonio   .   1712   El   Charco   .   1949 Volcán   Nambroque   at   the   Duraznero,   Hoyo   Negro   and   Llano   del   Banco vents . 1971 Volcán Teneguia. This   vent   is   the   source   of   the   last   subaerial   volcanic   eruption   in   Spain,   which   occurred   from   October   26   to   November   28,   1971.   Earthquakes   preceded   the eruption.   The   eruption      caused   some   property   damage.   Populated   zones   were   not   affected.   The   vent   has   since   become   an   attraction   for   tourist      and   forms part of the Monumento Natural de Los Volcanes de Teneguía . (Wikipedia)                                                                                                                                    click on pictures to enlarge