Hua Yu Island Introduction
The volcanic rock geology of the Penghu Islands is predominantly basalt, with the only exception being Hwa Yu Island, which consists of andesite. Andesite is a type of volcanic rock formed from the rapid cooling of magma, resulting in high viscosity and slow flow, typically accumulating in a conical shape near the volcano, contrasting with the tableland formed by basalt. It was formed approximately 65 million years ago and is the oldest and westernmost island of Penghu. Hwa Yu Island is located northwest of Wang-an and hosts nearly a hundred species of indigenous plants, hence its name. Currently, there are only a little over a hundred residents, as the area is a confluence of the Kuroshio current and the Taiwan Strait, resulting in rich fishing resources that support mainly a fishing livelihood. The eastern part of the island features Yandun Mountain, which stands at 53 meters above sea level, making it the highest point on the island. On the western part of the mountain peak, the Hwa Yu Lighthouse is built, with a pure white body made of reinforced concrete. It is the westernmost lighthouse in Taiwan and an important landmark of Hwa Yu Island. On the southeastern reef, there are purportedly the left footprint of Lü Dongbin, known as "Xian's Footprint," which pairs perfectly with the right footprint located on Tiantai Mountain on Wang-an Island. However, it can only be seen during low tide!
Hua Yu Island
