Arrábida Mountain, in Portuguese Serra da Arrábida, is a protected area located on the Setúbal Peninsula, between Sesimbra, Setúbal and Palmela, extending for about 30 km along the Atlantic Ocean. It forms part of the Arrábida Natural Park, which is included in the European Network of Biogenetic Reserves.

Arrábida Natural Park is considered a paradise not only for nature lovers but also for geologists. From a geological point of view, the mountain range is quite complex. It is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks (such as limestones, dolomites, marl, clays, sandstones, and conglomerates) dating from the period between the Jurassic (Liassic) and the Miocene. One of its most interesting features is its asymmetric anticline structure, resulting from tectonic movements associated with the formation of the Alpine chain. It is also famous for the Arrábida Breccia, an ornamental stone that was highly valued in the past and used in architecture and decoration (see Jasper quarry).

Arrábida is the most prominent relief feature of the Setúbal Peninsula, extending for several dozen kilometres. It is bounded by the syncline north of Albufeira, by the Setúbal–Pinhal Novo fault to the east and by the Arrábida fault to the south. The Cabo Espichel area extends for about 5 km onto the continental shelf. Its highest point is Formosinho at 501 m above sea level.

The indicated coordinates correspond to Pico do Formosinho (501 m), the highest point of the mountain range.

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Mindat Articles: Limestone Chain of Arrábida by Martins da Pedra http://www.mindat.org/article.php/1888

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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