Thira - Oia
Europe, Greece, South Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini (Thira), Oia, Caldera, Nea Kamena (cut from T & B)
The second i-lockdown, arm-chair travelling visit to Santorini.
Shown here is Oia, like Fyra (middle left in this frame) perilously perched on the edge of the caldera. On the same height, central is Nea Kamena.
The island in its current state was formed during a cataclysmic volcanic eruption: In 1630 BC one of the two Thira volcanoes erupted. During the process, the magma chamber of the volcano was totally emptied and the outer skin fractured and caved in - forming a huge hole (the caldera) which was filled by the sea.
The caldera measured about 12 by 7 km and is surrounded by 200 to 300 m high steep cliffs on three sides - they're on display here. The part of the island that was not caved in was covered in a layer of magma and lava of 50 m thick. Directly after the eruption mushroom-shaped clouds of ash formed that rose to a height of 35 km and there's little doubt that there were consequences for the climate. It was the largest volcanic eruption to take place in the last 10.000 year of Earth's history.
The consequences for the people were harsh. The giant tsunami and the ash rain wiped out the Minoan civilization of the island and that of Crete (although there's some discussion about the latter).
The two volcanoes that are still under Thira have remained active through the ages. The one under the caldera formed a number of islets/volcanic cones. The largest one Nea Kameni was formed in the first part of the 18 th century and through a series of eruptions in the second part of the 19 th century and as 'recent' as 1921, 1928, 1939, 1941 and 1950 grew in size. On Nea Kameni are 7 volcanic vents that emit gasses and on Palea Kameni, which was formed before Nea Kameni (no surprises here - palea means old and nea new ) is one vent. By bleeding off pressure, together they reduce the chance of a future eruption. But one never knows.
The underwater volcano north of Oia produced earthquakes and emissions of poisonous gases that killed 70 people in 1649 and 1650. This period is referred to on the island as the 'time of evil'
(By the way: Recent research places the eruption that created the caldera ....21.000 years earlier than 1630 BC. According to this, there was a big eruption in that year, but the caldera was already there when it happened. I don't know if the evidence is conclusive.)
(Sources: various websites, 'Griekse eilanden' - Trotter - Hachette/Lannoo 2007 and 'Santorini - a guide to the most beautiful island in the world'- Tina Zisimou - Mediterraneo Editions 2010)
This is number 24 of the Cyclads 2011 album.
Thira - Oia
Europe, Greece, South Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini (Thira), Oia, Caldera, Nea Kamena (cut from T & B)
The second i-lockdown, arm-chair travelling visit to Santorini.
Shown here is Oia, like Fyra (middle left in this frame) perilously perched on the edge of the caldera. On the same height, central is Nea Kamena.
The island in its current state was formed during a cataclysmic volcanic eruption: In 1630 BC one of the two Thira volcanoes erupted. During the process, the magma chamber of the volcano was totally emptied and the outer skin fractured and caved in - forming a huge hole (the caldera) which was filled by the sea.
The caldera measured about 12 by 7 km and is surrounded by 200 to 300 m high steep cliffs on three sides - they're on display here. The part of the island that was not caved in was covered in a layer of magma and lava of 50 m thick. Directly after the eruption mushroom-shaped clouds of ash formed that rose to a height of 35 km and there's little doubt that there were consequences for the climate. It was the largest volcanic eruption to take place in the last 10.000 year of Earth's history.
The consequences for the people were harsh. The giant tsunami and the ash rain wiped out the Minoan civilization of the island and that of Crete (although there's some discussion about the latter).
The two volcanoes that are still under Thira have remained active through the ages. The one under the caldera formed a number of islets/volcanic cones. The largest one Nea Kameni was formed in the first part of the 18 th century and through a series of eruptions in the second part of the 19 th century and as 'recent' as 1921, 1928, 1939, 1941 and 1950 grew in size. On Nea Kameni are 7 volcanic vents that emit gasses and on Palea Kameni, which was formed before Nea Kameni (no surprises here - palea means old and nea new ) is one vent. By bleeding off pressure, together they reduce the chance of a future eruption. But one never knows.
The underwater volcano north of Oia produced earthquakes and emissions of poisonous gases that killed 70 people in 1649 and 1650. This period is referred to on the island as the 'time of evil'
(By the way: Recent research places the eruption that created the caldera ....21.000 years earlier than 1630 BC. According to this, there was a big eruption in that year, but the caldera was already there when it happened. I don't know if the evidence is conclusive.)
(Sources: various websites, 'Griekse eilanden' - Trotter - Hachette/Lannoo 2007 and 'Santorini - a guide to the most beautiful island in the world'- Tina Zisimou - Mediterraneo Editions 2010)
This is number 24 of the Cyclads 2011 album.