Roque Cinchado – Unique Rock Formation in the Island of Tenerife

The Roque Cinchado is a rare rock formation that lies within the Teide National Park in the municipality of La Orotava Canary Islands of Spain. Roque Cinchado is one of the largest in the world by altitude, more than 2000 meters. The Roque Chinchado is a unique rock formation; in fact, its photographs appeared on 1000 peseta banknotes with Teide in the background. Roque Chnchado is a marvels geological freak show of twisted pinnacles of lava, formed as a result of erosion of the volcanic dykes.

The Roque Cinchado is worth taking a look and in this specific case, it is the most photographed rock in the world. Many archaeologists believe and considered this rock formation as equally important as the other rock formation of Uluru in Australia, Delicate Arch Utah USA, and Devil’s Tower Wyoming USA. The compositions of Roque Cinchado are mainly of pyroclastics, alluvial fan breccias, and conglomerates of volcanic material, phonolitic dikes crosscutting the sedimentary layers.

The Roque Cinchado is to be found about 1700 meters below the summit of Teide volcano, actually a volcanic formation; belongs to a lineup of large rock formations, leftovers of the former summit of the island, well-known as “Roques García.” From every passing century, the rain and wind have gradually worn down the earth and rock formation to expose the harder rock of the dykes in all their glory.

The Roque Chinchado rock is eroding faster in its base than above, could be toppled one day. Significant, somewhat puzzling, and actually saddening is the fact the Island of Tenerife is one of the massive volcanic edifices that is actually second in size after only the Island of Hawaii (Big Island). Nevertheless, from the rocks, the lunar landscape of the “Llano de Ucanca” plains is just to the west of here a completely surreal landscape that just has to be seen to be believed.

Also, Read Lonar Lake! Maharashtra’s Best Kept Secrets

Source: Sandatlas, Stay, and Wikimedia