Geography
The islet is located more than 1 mile (1.6 km) north-northwest of the island of Flores, in a bay between Ponta de Fenais (Point Fanaes or Fanais Port}}) and Faja Grande. The islet is actually located on the North American plate between the two westernmost Azorean islands of Flores and Corvo.
The islet is a solid monolith of black basaltic rock consisting of a vertical wall formation, remnants of a coastal volcanic cone, eroded by ocean forces. It extends steeply to a height of 34 metres (112 ft) above sea level. It was formed from irregular lava flows that produced many submarine cavities along the islet's relief, with sand and boulders accumulated around the shoreline overtime. The islet is an elevated area that includes two rock outcroppings above the water's surface.
A deep channel separates the Monchique Islet from the shoreline, with only a rock outcrop called the Baxio Raza separating it from the shore. Since the channel is between 45 metres (148 ft) and 55 metres (180 ft) metres depth, ships were able to anchor in the bay, aiding visitors to the area and providing shelter from storms. The deep channel, through which ships may navigate with care (while still avoiding some surface rocks) is considered safe for navigation. The Baxia Rasa rock formation extends over a length of 0.4 miles (0.64 km), a rough terrain situated to the west of Ponta de Fenais.
Read more about this topic: Monchique Islet
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