On our last day we hired a car and drove to the north of the island to visit Cueva de los Verdes (Verdes Caves). Verdes is the Spanish word for green, however they are called Verdes Caves after the family that owned the land, not because they are green.

This tied in nicely with some things I learnt at Rancho Texas about Lava Tubes and Jameos. Today I actually walked inside a Lava Tube and a Jameo.

The cave was created around 3,000 years ago when Monte Corona volcano erupted. The hot lava flowed over the land and as it cooled a hard crust was formed. The lava inside the tube drains away and leaves a lava tube. Sometimes the roof of the tube/cave collapses and forms a big hollow cavern which is also called Jameo.

There are lots of Jameos inside the Cueva de los Verdes. One is so big they use it for musical performances (concerts).