Garajonay: Valores naturales - Medio físico

Troncos cubiertos de musgo

  • Geology and orography

    The Park occupies much of the central plateau of the island, with its relief being characterised by a succession of small valleys and hills. Up to the limits of the plateau, the gentle forms are interrupted giving way to deep slopes. Here the volcanic geological structure, which is dominant in the Park, can be seen characterised by old piles of basaltic lava flows of enormous power that are arranged horizontally.

    From time to time, the spectacular Roques or pitons, the remains of the filling of ancient volcanic pipes which come to the surface through differential erosion of the rocks like a witness, stand out from the mass of woodlands.

  • Climatology

    The factors which determine the climate of the Park are the orographic rain and the frequency of the fog produced by condensation of the rising masses of moist, oceanic air transported by the trade winds. Rainfall is relatively rare, varying between 600 and 800 mm a year, which is concentrated in the months of autumn and winter. However, the frequent fogs, especially during the spring and to a lesser extent in the summer provide an almost constantly high level of moisture, reducing the evapo-transpiration and supplements of horizontal rain (condensation of cloud-borne moisture onto the plants).

    The annual average temperatures are mild, between 13 and 15ºC, causing water to freeze occasionally above 1,300 metres. The absolute maximum temperatures are achieved with the invasions of dry air from the Sahara, causing situations with very great danger of forest fire, which is nowadays the most important factor of threat for the integrity of the laurisilva or laurel forest.

    For more meteorology information:

  • Hydrology

    The forests represent the main source of water on the islands, supplying the majority of the water resources. What is more the survival of a remarkable network of permanent watercourses through the forest is almost unique in the Canary Islands, where the superficial springs have practically disappeared as a result of the intense use to which the water resources are put.

Park information

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