Does the iland of Santorini have a volcano?

Answer 1

Santorini's volcano

The island group of Santorini is the most well-known and active volcanic centre of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc in the south Aegean Sea. It is a very complex stratovolcano dominated by a large, sea-flooded caldera created by several large explosive eruptions. The different products of about 2 million years of volcanic activity have accumulated around a small non-volcanic basement, that once formed a small island similar to the other cycladic islands. Most of the volcanic layers are visible in the multi-colored sequences of the impressive steep inner walls of the caldera, striking the visitor who reaches the island by boat.


The Minoan eruption

Santorini's volcanic activity during the past 2-500,000 years has been dominated by very large explosive eruptions at inverals of few tens of thousands of years. The most recent of this type occurred at around 1645 BC and is known as the so-called Minoan eruption. The late Bronze Age eruption, one of the biggest known volcanic explosions in younger time,- and one of the most studied, but still most mysterious eruptions of all time-, devastated not only Santorini, but had a deep impact on the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. Perhaps it even had serious world-wide effects and changed history.

Still today, one can see its deposits, the characteristic, tens of meters thick layer of white pumice and ash that blankets most of the surfact of the island group. The eruption changed the shape of the island itself dramatically: it is now believed that before the eruption, it had the shape of an almost complete ring that enclosed an earlier, shallower caldera. Then, large sections of island collapsed into the emptied magma chamber after the eruption, literally disappearing under the sea. The ring-island was breached to the W and NW, and the caldera was significantly widened and deepened.

The Minoan eruption devastated the rich, highly developed economic centre, that Santorini was at that time. Since 1969, intense archaeological excavations have brought to light an important Cycladic/Minoan town which had been buried beneath the volcanic ash for almost 4000 years. Although it appears that people had time to evacuate their island in time before the eruption, carrying most of their goods with them, the findings from Akrotiri are impressive: especially, they include well-preserved and magnificent wall paintings, ceramics and other objects. Thanks to the work of numerous archaeologists, a new light was thrown on an important prehistoric period and culture. The spectacular discovery even induced continuing speculations that relate the volcanic destruction of Santorini to the legend of the sunken Atlantis.


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Santorini's historic activity
Although at present dormant, Santorini has been active several times in historic time. Since its last major explosive eruption (at about 1645 BC) numerous minor and medium-sized, mainly effusive eruptions have occurred. This activity built the dark-colored islands of Nea and Palea Kameni inside the caldera. Their first appearance was witnessed and reported by Greek and Roman writers. The last eruption on Nea Kameni occured in 1950. At present, Santorini is dormant, and volcanism manifestates as fumarolic activity and hot springs around the islands.

Answer 2

Santorini became a round island. The volcano became contained in the middle. at the same time as it erupted, the total center portion of the island sunk, starting to be the caldera, it truly is extraordinary. What remained is Santorini and both little islands, the position there are nonetheless energetic craters. you do not see some thing like a large hollow with lava flowing or some thing there, you only see places the position steam and sulfuric gases come out. And warmth sulfuric waters, the position you could swim and it really is easily best for you. So once you get to Santorini, only get on a small boat holiday to the volcano and also you'll see for your self.

Answer 3

It once was a volcano:

"The island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the last several thousand years when it erupted cataclysmically about 3,500 years ago. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of feet deep, and its effects may have indirectly led to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (70 mi) to the south" (Wikipedia)

there is still a 'hot spot' under the area, so sometime soon it could erupt (not for a while though, hopefully)

hope this helps

Answer 4

It doesn't "have" a volcano, it IS a dormant volcano. There was a huge eruption in about 1450 BC, and its ash cloud and tidal wave are presumed to have ended the Minoan civilization on Crete (and incidentally generated the Atlantis myth).

Answer 5

Just got a travel brochure of Santorini and it doesn't mention one. It does have a Volcan Wine Museum, however the famous black beach is indicative of volcanic activity. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

it used to have a big volcano which basically blew the island up in classic Greek times (and gave the island its beautiful cliffs)

it still has a small volcano

Answer 7

as far as i can see it has a volcano called Decade it has a summit elevation of 565m and is located by the yown of fira hope this helps

Answer 8

The island is what remains of a volcanic explosion that occurred many years ago.