Montiferru is a historical region of central-westernSardinia,Italy. It takes its name from the eponymous extinct volcano massif, whose main peak is the Monte Urtigu (1,050 m). Extending for some 700 km2, the massif had originally a maximum elevation of c. 1,600/1,700 m, later reduced due to erosion.
The volcanic origin of the area is testified by thebasaltic rocks of the seaside. Water sources are frequent, rivers from the area including theRio Mannu.
The economy is essentially rural, based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Flora goes from theMediterranean shrubland of the coast toolive and fruit trees in the mainland, up to pine and oaks in the more elevated parts. Wildlife includewild boar, fox,Sardinian hare,European hedgehog,least weasel,marten, the rareSardinian wildcat,vulture,carrion crow,peregrine falcon,hoopoe,little owl,Eurasian scops owl and others.
The rocks of Montiferru are the remains of an extinctvolcanic complex, covering an area of about 400 square kilometres (154 sq mi), that was active 3.9 to 1.6 million years ago during thePliocene andPleistoceneepochs of the Earth's geological history. The volcanic activity was at its most intense 3.6 million years ago. The volcano erupted a wide variety oflavas includingbasanite,hawaiite,phonolite,mugearite,benmoreite andtrachyte, as well as small amounts ofbasaltic andesite andbasaltictrachyandesite.[1]
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