Methana Volcano
Updated: Jul 5, 2025 02:15 GMT -
Lava domes
Saronic Gulf, Greece, 37.62°N / 23.34°E 
Summit height: 740 m
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Methana's historic lava dome which formed in 238 BC.
Methana peninsula, located opposite Aegina Island in the Saronic Gulf of Greece, is the northwestern, still weakly active part of the Aegean volcanic arc.
An eruption in 238 BC built a small lava dome on the northern tip of the peninsula and was described by Greek and Roman historians (e.g. Pausanias). Methana peninsula is famous for its hot springs and thermal baths, hence its name.
More detailed information can be found at www.methana.com !
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Methana volcano eruptions: around 1700 (submarine eruption of "Pavsanias", aprox. 1,5 km north-west of Methana), 238 B.C (near Kameni Hora)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 01:07 am (Universal Time) | 1.2 10.6 km | 10.7 km (6.7 mi) to the SW | Nomos Piraios, 64 km southwest of Athens, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica, Greece | Info | |
| Thursday, July 3, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jul 3, 01:43 am (Universal Time) | 1.1 10 km | 23 km (14 mi) to the NW | NE Peloponnese - S. Greece | Info | |
| Tuesday, July 1, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jul 1, 08:39 pm (Universal Time) | 1.0 9.5 km | 30 km (19 mi) to the NE | 15 km ENE From Aigina | Info | |
| Monday, June 30, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jun 30, 08:18 am (Universal Time) | 2.4 10 km | 20 km (13 mi) to the W | NE Peloponnese - S. Greece | Info | |
| Sunday, June 29, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jun 29, 12:35 am (Universal Time) | 1.5 10 km | 8.4 km (5.2 mi) to the E | Saronikos Gulf - S. Greece | Info | |
| Saturday, June 28, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Jun 29, 02:37 am (GMT +3) | 1.3 17 km | 28 km (17 mi) to the E | Greece: 22 km NE From Poros | Info | |
| Jun 28, 09:08 pm (Universal Time) | 1.4 10 km | 22 km (14 mi) to the NE | Saronikos Gulf - S. Greece | Info | |
| Friday, June 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jun 27, 01:17 pm (Universal Time) | 1.7 10 km | 28 km (17 mi) to the W | NE Peloponnese - S. Greece | Info | |
| Wednesday, June 25, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Jun 25, 01:20 pm (Universal Time) | 2.0 10 km | 29 km (18 mi) to the SE | Saronikos Gulf - S. Greece | Info | |
Background
Methana volcanic system comprises a group of 32 lava mostly dacitic lava domes, whose formation started about 1-2 million years ago. The latest activity was likely around 1700 AD in form of a submarine eruption off the northern coast.An active hydrothermal system characterizes the area, controlled by a E-W fault system that crosses the town of Methana where thermal springs are found.
Methana Volcano Photos
The Chelona lava dome on Methana (740m) (Photo: Tobias Schorr)
The Chelona lava dome and the gulf of Epidavros in Greece (Photo: Tobias Schorr)
Blocky lavas from the historic lava dome (around 256 BC) on Methana, Greece. Island of Angistri in the Saronic Gulf in background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
The most beautiful lava dome of Methana: Kosona lava dome. (Photo: Tobias Schorr)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Methana volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Methana has had only one confirmed historic eruption around 258 BC. There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1922 from Methana volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Methana volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Methana can be found on the news page of Methana volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| Kameno Vouno Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Methana Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Methana volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Methana occurred around 258 BC.
+How often does Methana volcano erupt?
Since 258 BC, Methana volcano has had at least 1 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 2,300 years.
+When was the largest eruption of Methana volcano?
The largest eruption of Methana volcano in historic times occurred around 258 BC. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Methana Volcano Tours
Saronic Gulf (Greece)
Treasures of the Saronic Gulf
private geo tour to the Methana volcanic peninsula and the Saronic Gulf, 2-3 days
3 days / 2 nights - Easy to Moderate
Price 0 €
Price 0 €
Custom and group dates
Saronic Gulf (Greece)
Land of Theseus
8-day geo and walking tour in the Saronic Gulf near Athens
8 days / 7 nights - Moderate
Price 1590 €
Price 1590 €
23-30 Mar 2026
Methana Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Methana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Methana volcano (scale of few kilometers)
