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Natural Monuments
Monumento Natural La Montaña Amarilla
Description
This well-preserved, singular volcanic cone is one of the island’s few examples of an underwater eruption. This is called phreatomagmatic volcanism, and is especially violent and explosive.
In addition, during periods of no volcanic activity, sand, ash and other materials accumulated and compacted here, creating a fossil dune, that has been revealed over time as a result of erosion.
Recommended time to visit: All year-round.
Geology
This volcanic cone makes up a landscape of outstanding beauty. It commands a privileged location, next to the sea and rising up above the surrounding terrain, which was no doubt the reason why the island’s original settlers, the Guanches, used it regularly for a variety of everyday activities, as has been suggested by archeological remains found in the area.
Given that this is a small area of great cultural and scientific worth, and a place of outstanding natural beauty, it is hugely important that you stick to the marked trails during your visit, to help ensure its conservation.
Flora and fauna
The flora in the area has had to adapt to extreme conditions, with high salinity, sun exposure, low humidity and high temperatures.
Aggregate extraction in the past also caused great damage to the original vegetation.
The plants that inhabit this area nowadays are typical along the coastal belt, including tomillo de mar (Frankeniacapitata), sea lettuce (Ulvalactuca), uva de mar (Zygophyllumfontanesii) and siempreviva de mar (Limoniumpectinatum). There is also a shrubland of balsam spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera) that survives in areas that were not exploited, with gualdón (Reseda scoparia), cardoncillo (Ceropegia), espinocillo (Fagoniacretica), cosco (Mesembryanthemumnodiflorum) and espino de mar (Lyciumintricatum).
This area also stands out for the presence of piña de mar (Atractylispreauxiana), an endangered species, and the zanahoriacanaria de arena (Ammodaucusnanocarpus), an extremely rare subspecies present in Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
In terms of invertebrate fauna, of note is the pimeliatinerfeñacostera, an endemic species of beetle to the island.
There are few vertebrates, Gallot’s lizard and geckos among the reptiles, and birds that are typical to these areas, such as the Berthelot's pipit, kestrel, yellow-legged gull and the Eurasian blackcap.
In the past it was possible to see the trumpeter finch, Mediterranean short-toed lark and the Kentish plover, but they have nowadays been pushed away from their previous habitats in the the south of Tenerife.
Technical information sheet
Surface area
27.8 hectares (0.1% of the island)
Species of interest
Tomillo de mar (Frankeniacapitata), sea lettuce (Ulvalactuca), uva de mar (Zygophyllumfontanesii), siempreviva de mar (Limoniumpectinatum), balsam spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera), gualdón (Reseda scoparia), cardoncillo (Ceropegia), espinocillo (Fagoniacretica), cosco (Mesembryanthemumnodiflorum), espino de mar (Lyciumintricatum), piña de mar (Atractylispreauxiana), zanahoriacanaria de arena (Ammodaucusnanocarpus), pimeliatinerfeñacostera beetle, Gallot’s lizard, gecko, Berthelot's pipit, kestrel, yellow-legged gull, Eurasian blackcap.
Ecosystems
Tabaibal, coastal.
Regulations
To consult permits for use and updated regulations for this Protected Natural Area, visit the official website of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Municipalities
- Arona
- San Miguel de Abona