Geomorphological evolution of Santorini

Abstract

Santorini is an island of the Aegean Sea that belongs to the Prefecture of Cyclades. It is located southern of Ios Island and, along with Anafi, these are the southernmost islands of the Cyclades. Santorini is composed of Thera, with a crescent shape, and the islands of Therassia and Aspro (Aspronisi) in a circle. In the centre of the circle lies the caldera, which was formed by a volcanic eruption (or eruptions) and the simultaneous collapse of a part of the island. Santorini caldera is one biggest of the world, covering an area of approx. 83km2, with a length of 11km (N-S) and a width of 7.5km (E-W). The volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni have formed within the caldera. Nowadays Santorini is a volcanic island that belongs to the Aegean volcanic arc and, with its fumaroles, gases and a high temperature, is the only active volcano in the Eastern Mediterranean. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.