Mounts of Cantal
| Mounts of Cantal | |
|---|---|
Map showing the location of the Mounts of Cantal in the Massif Central. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,855 m (6,086 ft) at Plomb du Cantal |
| Coordinates | 45°03′32″N 2°45′41″E / 45.058937°N 2.761506°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Parent range | Massif Central |
The Mounts of Cantal (or Volcanoes of Cantal; French: Monts du Cantal [mɔ̃ dy kɑ̃tal]) 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, reaching estimated heights between 3,500 and 4,000 meters. However, the main part of the volcanic activity was concentrated between 8.5 and 7 million years. Thereafter, the original volcano was largely eroded, massive landslides occurred, and it was further eroded by glaciers and water.