In general, the covons in Serra da Estrela correspond to glacial basins of over-excavation, that is, they are depressed and poorly drained areas, in whose bottom, after the glacier retreat, sediments accumulated, which allowed the development of peat and soils. vegetation. This filling of fine materials is visible in Covão da Ametade which is one of the most imposing caves in the Estrela Geopark. Downstream, Covão da Albergaria, has a genesis identical to Covão da Ametade, but with a greater accumulation of blocks that collapsed from the slopes.