Lagoon of tears

ESA Space in Images Title São Miguel, Azores Released 13/03/2015 10:00 am Copyright DEIMOS Imaging Description - This image from over the Azores island of São Miguel features a volcanic complex called the Sete Cidades Massif. The circular crater or caldera dominates the image and measures about 5 km across. The interior has lakes, volcanic cones, lava domes and maars - or shallow, flooded craters. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades - or Lagoon of Seven Cities - is comprised of two ecologically different lakes that are connected by a narrow passage, visible at the centre of the image. The lake to the north is known as the Blue Lake while to the one to the south is the Green Lake for the colours they reflect. According to the legend, the protected daughter of a king escaped to the surrounding hills, where she met and fell in love with a young shepherd. When the shepherd asked the king for his daughter in marriage, the king refused and forbade his daughter from seeing the boy again.