Auvergne and its Volcano park
Camera in hand - across Auvergne
mini photo-gallery
Puy mary volcano
Puy de dome volcano
In Europe volcano park
Chain of extinct volcanoes
Vichy
The European volcanoes Park ("Parc des Volcans") in Auvergne is known as one of the main natural sights of the country. It occupies territory of 395000 hectares and stretches up to 120 km from south to north. It comprises two volcanic plateaus (of the Artense and the Cezallier) and three volcanic mountain chains (Monts du Cantal, Monts Dore and Monts Domes or Chaine des Puys ).
Each mountainous area has its own history and geological character. The most recent eruption took place about 4000 years ago in Monts Domes volcanic chain (Puy de Dome volcano). During the last 40 thousands years there had been several hundreds of eruptions in the Auvergne volcano field. Scientists state, that future volcano eruptions will unavoidable occur here, though they don't know when. Presently, researchers have no signs of turning some extinct volcanic mount into active volcano in the nearest 50 years.