Hua Yu Island Introduction
The volcanic rock geology of the Penghu Islands is predominantly basalt, with the only exception being Huayu Islet, which is composed of andesite. Andesite is a type of volcanic rock that forms from the rapid cooling of volcanic lava, characterized by high viscosity and slow flow, often accumulating near the volcanic vent in a conical shape, differing from the blocky terrain formed by basalt. It was formed approximately 65 million years ago and is the oldest and westernmost island in Penghu. Huayu Islet is located northwest of Wang'an, and the island hosts nearly a hundred species of native plants, thus earning its name, which means Flower Islet. Currently, there are only a little over a hundred residents, primarily engaging in fishing due to the rich catches at the confluence of the Kuroshio Current and the Taiwan Current. The eastern part of the island features Yandun Mountain, which stands at an elevation of 53 meters, making it the highest point on the island. On the summit of the western part, the Huayu Lighthouse is built, featuring a pure white tower constructed of reinforced concrete, making it the westernmost lighthouse in Taiwan and an important landmark of Huayu Islet. On the southeastern side, there are rock formations that are said to bear the left foot imprint of Lü Dongbin, a legendary figure, which pairs well with the right foot imprint found on Tiantai Mountain on Wang'an Island, though it is visible only during low tide!
Flower Island
