page_title: Mounts of Cantal
section_title: Geomorphology
hierarchical_section_title: Mounts of Cantal / Geomorphology
caption_attribution_description: English: Monts du Cantal in Massif Central, France.
context_page_description: The Mounts of Cantal are a mountainous massif in the mid-west of the Massif Central, France, made up of the remnants of the largest stratovolcano of Europe, which was formed from 13 million years ago and last erupted approximately 2 million years ago. However, the main part of the volcanic activity was concentrated between 8.5 and 7 million years ago. Thereafter, the original volcano was largely eroded, massive landslides occurred, and it was further eroded by glaciers and water.
context_section_description: The stratovolcano of Cantal is the widest in Europe. It is roughly circular with a diameter between 50 and 70 km (30–40 mi). Its highest point is the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m, 6,086 ft), located in the eastern part of the massif. Around 20 valleys have been formed in the range, radiating out from the centre and cutting the basaltic plateau into triangular pieces called planèzes. These valleys were occupied by glaciers during the last ice age, which explains their U-shape.
caption: Relief map of the Mounts of Cantal.
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