Pico do Fogo is an active volcano. The last eruption of the main cone was in 1680 (behind us). However, subsidiary vents are still erupting with eruptions in 1995 and the most recent in 2014 to 2015. Each eruption has sent out waves of emigration from Fogo Island with the United States being a popular destination. Our local guide went on to say that ex-pats sending money back to Cape Verde is a large part of their economy.

Below you can see Pico do Fogo or the Peak of Fire which is an elevation of 9,281 feet high. The most recent eruptions are to the left of these photos.

Inside the caldera of the volcano is both bleak and dramatic. We spent several hours here and enjoyed every minute of it. We passed several different lava flows. Our local guide would point out each different one and tell us the year of the eruption and point out some of the havoc that it caused.

We also walked out on some of the lava flows such as below. It was extremely challenging to walk across such chaotic rock.

It was just a great feeling to be inside the caldera and so close to an active volcano that is no doubt going to erupt again before too long.

This is another view inside the Pico do Fogo caldera. The photo below is yet another of the prior eruption lava flows. This is perhaps the 1995 eruption.

Now we are coming to the eruption in 2014 to 2015 which was the most recent eruption. The road that we were driving was a victim of the last eruption.

The lava flow from the last eruption was still almost impassible to walk over without the threat of injury.

Vicky wants to know which way we go now?

In the next photos, we have traveled a substantial way around the main volcano. I also loved seeing the plants beginning to grow back and recover.