- The Quill (volcano)
Infobox Mountain
Name= The Quill
Photo=Eustatius 04.jpg
Caption=
Elevation= Convert|601|m|ft|0|abbr=on
Location=St. Eustatius ,Netherlands Antilles
Range=
Prominence = Convert|601|m|ft|0|abbr=on
Coordinates = coord|17|28|40|N|62|57|35|W|type:mountain_region:AN|display=inline,title
Topographic
Type=Stratovolcano
Age=
Last eruption= 250 AD ± 150 years
First ascent=
Easiest route=The Quill, formally known as Mount Mazinga, is a
stratovolcano located on the island ofSt. Eustatius in theNetherlands Antilles . The summit elevation is 601m above sea-level.The name Quill originates from the Dutch term kuil, meaning "pit" or "hole", which was used originally with reference to Mount Mazinga's volcanic crater. The Quill was designated as a national park by the government of the Netherlands Antilles in 1998. It is administered by the St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (Stenapa), which maintains a number of trails for hikers.
Geology
The Quill formed between 22,000 and 32,000 years before present to the southeast of
St. Eustatius (Statia) in theWest Indies .Pyroclastic flow s during the initial eruption joined The Quill with St. Eustatius. The Quill has been active since its birth; the last known eruption, as determined bycarbon dating , occurred between 1755 and 1635 years before present. Since volcanic eruptions from The Quill have includedpyroclastic flows , and groundwater heating indicates that The Quill is only dormant, the volcano must be regarded as potentially dangerous.Flora and Fauna
The crater of the Quill contains a lush rainforest populated by native and introduced tropical trees and plants. These include
elephant ears ,tree ferns ,begonias ,figs ,plantains ,banana s,bromeliads , trumpet wood,mahogany , seedlessbreadfruit , Surinam cherry, ginger bush and edibleraspberries , as well as at least 17 different kinds oforchids . Resident animal species includeiguanas ,anoles ,snakes ,hermit crab s,butterflies , exotic birds, and occasional goats and chickens that have strayed from nearby Oranjestad. Hunting land crabs in the Quill crater is a somewhat popular evening pastime of islanders.References
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* [http://www.knaw.nl/edita/antilles/download_chapters.html Volcanology of Saba and St. Eustatius Northern Lesser Antilles] (download 340 page book)
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