Fajã

[2] The term also designates a small flat piece of land, generally cultivable and located by the sea, formed of materials fallen from cliffs.

Fajãs are created from collapsing cliffs or lava flows and are identifiable along the coast as "flat" surfaces, relative to other geological forms.

[6] Tides and tidal currents have only minor influence on coastal morphology, and therefore sedimentation and deposits there became permanent.

This leads to fragmentation of the coast into several dynamic cells whose sediment alongshore is limited by impermeable boundaries.

The fajãs are fertile and, historically used to cultivate yams, maize, and vegetables, although coffee, vineyards, and tropical fruits were also grown there.

A view of some of the Fajã dos Vimes in the municipality of Calheta
The detritic platform of Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo [ pt ] , with its emblematic lagoon
View of Fajana de Franceses , in the island of La Palma , Spain.
In this satellite view of the 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption in La Palma, the lava flow falls from the cliffs on the west into the Atlantic and forms a lava delta as a fajana .