Location Tyrrhenian Sea Region Tuscany Population uninhabited Island group Tuscan Archipelago | Highest elevation 3 m (10 ft) Comune Campo nell'Elba Elevation 3 m Province Province of Livorno | |
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The Scoglio d'Africa (or Scoglio d'Affrica) also named Formica di Monte Cristo ("Monte Cristo's Ant"), is a solitary small skerry belonging to the Tuscan Archipelago located in open sea between Tyrrhenian Sea and Corsica Channel. It is located 18.5 km west of the Island of Montecristo, 23.5 km south of Pianosa Island and 43.1 km east of Corsica. Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Campo nell'Elba. It is also part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Contents
Map of Scoglio d'Africa
Description
Regarding its size and its shape, it can be considered to all effects an emergent rock in a stretch of shallow sea. It has a rounded contour with the diameter of 70 metres, an area of 3,000 square metres and an altitude of only 3 metres above sea level depending from the tides and the waves. Geologically the skerry belongs to a submarine ridge starting few miles east of Capraia and it extends toward south up to reach Pianosa. The ridge is lying at an average depth of 80 metres but it decreases in proximity of the island to arrive at 8 metres. The depths in the region among the skerry and Montecristo reach 200 metres.
Fauna
The seabed around the rock is composed by two types of biocoenosis; the first is formed by algae, bryozoa and polychaetes that form a structure rich in cavities; the second is formed by prairies of Posidonia.
Scoglio d'Africa lighthouse
On its platform was built in 1867 a lighthouse still active and operated by Marina Militare identified by the number 2096 E.F. The lighthouse has a conical base, to resist the waves, surmounted by a cylindrical tower in white stone with balcony and lantern. It has a solar power unit, the focal plane is at 19 metres and emit a single white flash every 5 seconds visible up to 12 nautical miles.