Volcanic Massif of Campo de Calatrava

It is a large area of great value from a geomorphological and landscape point of view, due to the number and variety of volcanic formations that can be discovered. The volcanic massif of Campo de Calatrava is also of great scientific interest, as it helps us to interpret the geological history of our land.

With its 3,550 hectare, and more than a dozen volcanic formations of interest, it constitutes the most extensive and best preserved volcanic unit of the late Tertiary period in the Iberian Peninsula, extending through the historic Campo de Calatrava, an almost central area of the province.

Its special interest lies in the variety of volcanic edifices and the profusion of large volcanic apparatuses superimposed or aligned according to eruptive fissures, both strombolian and hydromagmatic eruptions, with pyroclastic cones with and without lava flows, and maars of various sizes.

Perhaps it is the forms derived from phreatomagmatic activity that have contributed most to modifying the landscape of this area, by opening up numerous explosive depressions, many of which are occupied by seasonal lagoons.

The degree of natural conservation of the volcanic units present in this protected natural area is quite good, as they are not excessively eroded, and it is possible to perfectly recognise all the structural elements: craters, lava flows, tuff rings and maars. The mining of some of the volcanic cones is the greatest danger currently facing this natural area.