The volcano of Santorini

Photo: Tilemahos Efthimiadis

The volcano of Santorini attracts tourists from all over the world as it is the most popular sight on the island. The shape of the island and the geological structure come as a consequence of the intense volcanic activity.

The oldest volcanic centers are located in the area of Akrotiri, in the southwest Santorini and 50,000 years later the volcano of Peristeri was formed, between the north Thira and Thirasia and also other smaller volcanic centers appeared. The volcanic activity formed an enormous cavity, where the sea entered, and was called caldera (cauldron in Italian).

One of the most powerful explosions occurred in 1650 BC when Santorini was called 'Stoggyli' in Greek or else Circular, because the island was integrated with a central caldera, where the top of the submarine volcano emerged. The percipitation of the volcano formed the current caldera where, later, the Old and The New Kammenh where shaped.