Milos is a volcanic island in the southern Aegean Sea and well known for its extensive mineral deposits and fine beaches. It is part of the Hellenic volcanic arc, that also comprises the volcanic islands of Santorini and Nisyros. Considered dormant, Milos presents strong hydrothermal activity, caused by subduction of the African under the Aegean plate.
The perlite mine Tsingrado
The crater rim of Tsingrado volcano
The active fumaroles of Kalamos
The phreatic crater field near Ahivadolimni
A small lava dome
Colourful pumice layers
Milos is a mainly volcanic island (like the neighbour islands of Kimolos, Polyaigis, Antimilos, Glaronisia and Akradia islands). Some older metamorphic rocks are exposed, that were formed many millions of years before the existence of the island (schists, prasinites, calc-schists, etc.). Later these layers were covered by sea-sediments. Volcanism on Milos started in upper Pliocene and continued until late Pleistocene. The last volcanic eruptions on Milos (90.000 B.C.) took place in the area of Tsingrado volcano. Volcanicm on Milos is similar to the other parts of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc comprising also Methana, Santorini and Nisyros.
