Fogo: A Deep Dive into Cape Verde's Volcano of Fire
Fogo, whose name means fire in Portuguese, is the most active volcano in the Cape Verde islands, an Atlantic archipelago off the coast of West Africa. Its towering cone rises from within a vast caldera, where a remarkable community lives, farms, and makes wine in the shadow of an active volcano. Despite repeated eruptions that have destroyed their village, the people of Fogo return again and again to rebuild on the fertile volcanic soil.
An Atlantic island volcano
Fogo is one of the islands of Cape Verde, formed by volcanism over a hotspot in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is dominated by its volcano, Pico do Fogo, which reaches about 2,829 metres and is the highest peak in Cape Verde. Its conical summit rises dramatically from within a large caldera, a landscape shaped by the island's long and ongoing volcanic history.
A community within the caldera
One of the most remarkable features of Fogo is the community that lives inside its caldera, known as Cha das Caldeiras. Here, in the shadow of the active volcano, people cultivate the rich volcanic soil, growing crops and producing a distinctive wine from vines planted in the lava. This community embodies the deep human attachment to volcanic land, despite the obvious dangers.
A history of eruptions
Fogo has erupted many times over the centuries, with significant activity recorded since the islands were settled. Its eruptions typically produce lava flows from vents on the flanks of the main cone, which can advance toward the settlements in the caldera. This recurring pattern of eruption and rebuilding has defined life on the island for generations.
The 2014-2015 eruption
In late 2014, Fogo erupted once again, opening new vents and pouring out lava flows that advanced into Cha das Caldeiras. The flows buried homes, a visitor centre, and much of the village, forcing residents to evacuate. The eruption, which continued into 2015, was a vivid demonstration of the volcano's power and of the resilience of the community that calls its caldera home.
Rebuilding on the lava
After the 2014-2015 eruption, as after earlier ones, the people of Cha das Caldeiras returned to rebuild. Their determination to live on the fertile volcanic land, despite the destruction, is a striking example of the relationship between humans and active volcanoes. The cycle of destruction and renewal is woven into the identity and history of the island's people.
Wine from the volcano
The volcanic soils of Fogo produce a distinctive wine, grown from vines that thrive in the ash and lava of the caldera. This volcanic viticulture is a source of pride and livelihood for the community, and an example of how the same volcanic forces that threaten the island also enrich it, supporting a unique agricultural tradition.
Monitoring and the future
Fogo's frequent eruptions make monitoring important for the safety of the caldera's residents. Scientists track the volcano's activity to provide warning of future eruptions, allowing time for evacuation when lava threatens the settlements. For the people of Fogo, living with their volcano means balancing the richness of the land with the certainty that it will erupt again.
Explore on the map
Fogo stands among the volcanic islands of the Atlantic, alongside the Canary Islands and the Azores. Explore it on the interactive map — filter by region to see Fogo among the Atlantic island volcanoes and to appreciate the volcanism that built the Cape Verde archipelago.