Santorini Island, Greece, Spring 2019: Tour Photos

Santorini Island, Greece, spring 2019: tour on Akrotiri peninsula

Normally, our first excursion during the geologic walking tour, we visit the area of the oldest volcanic rocks of Santorini found in the SW peninsula near Akrotiri and the lighthouse. It is a very varied walk along beaches, the caldera, through fields on old, mostly forgotten trails and mule tracks. Geologic highlights include spectacular submarine tuffs and lava domes, often with fantastic hydrothermal alterations.

|| Gallery Index

As it is (orthodox) Easter Sunday, roasted lamb (or goat) is a tradition seen everywhere. The preparation starts in the morning, as it takes several hours of slow grilling on the turning spit over charcoal... We'll see later! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

As it is (orthodox) Easter Sunday, roasted lamb (or goat) is a tradition seen everywhere. The prepar... [info]
(143 Hits)

The "red beach" is a perfect example of an eroded cinder cone from a small flank eruption about 5-400,000 years ago. Erosion by the sea has cut through its center, allowing one to now study its architecture: layers of lapilli & lava bombs, small lava flows, the central dike. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The "red beach" is a perfect example of an eroded cinder cone from a small flank eruption about 5-40... [info]
(162 Hits)

As often when wind is from southerly directions, it is still cloudy in the morning. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

As often when wind is from southerly directions, it is still cloudy in the morning. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(132 Hits)

Group hiking on the summit of the cinder cone with nice views over the southern coast. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Group hiking on the summit of the cinder cone with nice views over the southern coast. (Photo: Tom P... [info]
(122 Hits)

View towards the Archangelos dome structure west of us. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(101 Hits)

Simple field seismometer using only materials found at the spot;-) Any shaking of the ground would flip the stone over... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Simple field seismometer using only materials found at the spot;-) Any shaking of the ground would f... [info]
(97 Hits)

Once upon a time, barley fields were plenty to produce the local bread. Now, it has become wild and still grows on the abandoned farmlands. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Once upon a time, barley fields were plenty to produce the local bread. Now, it has become wild and ... [info]
(100 Hits)

We observe spectacular slumping structures in the originally submarine pumice tuffs about 1 million year old. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

We observe spectacular slumping structures in the originally submarine pumice tuffs about 1 million ... [info]
(121 Hits)

Spectacular miniature faults give evidence of volcano-tectonic uplift. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(114 Hits)

An abandoned archeological site where remnants of walls and buildings are located under the pumice, thus being at least 3.600 years old. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

An abandoned archeological site where remnants of walls and buildings are located under the pumice, ... [info]
(106 Hits)

Large fields of daisies greet us with the view to the caldera, while the sun is slowly coming out. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Large fields of daisies greet us with the view to the caldera, while the sun is slowly coming out. (... [info]
(104 Hits)

Small church with one of Santorini's famous blue domes at the beginning of an old mule path. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Small church with one of Santorini's famous blue domes at the beginning of an old mule path. (Photo:... [info]
(100 Hits)

We pass many vineyards while we're approaching the lighthouse area. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(99 Hits)

The trail leads through a wide pumice canyon. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(98 Hits)

santorini_k20968.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(87 Hits)

After about 5 hours, it's time to enjoy a hearty lunch: deliciously grilled kokoretsi and katsiki by master Dimitri. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

After about 5 hours, it's time to enjoy a hearty lunch: deliciously grilled kokoretsi and katsiki by... [info]
(102 Hits)

After a prolonged lunch and a good coffee, we continue our walk, having a look at the spectacular formation of Mavro Vouno (black mountain), an eroded rest of submarine breccia. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

After a prolonged lunch and a good coffee, we continue our walk, having a look at the spectacular fo... [info]
(112 Hits)

$A dacite lava dome forms the tip of the island where the lighthouse stands. It, too, is heavly eroded, but the internal fractures hint at its original structure with a summit to the upper left in the picture. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)$

A dacite lava dome forms the tip of the island where the lighthouse stands. It, too, is heavly erode... [info]
(110 Hits)

On our way to a deserved beach break, we pass again seas of flowers. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(86 Hits)

As the group is strong, we use an alternative route to the beach... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(75 Hits)

Mesa Pigadia is one of best spots to observe the mighty pumice fall and flow layers from the so-called "Lower Pumice" 1 and 2 series, deposited by large-scale explosive eruptions 200,000 and 180,000 years ago. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Mesa Pigadia is one of best spots to observe the mighty pumice fall and flow layers from the so-call... [info]
(91 Hits)

View of the dome structure of Archangelos, formed by an intrusion of viscous magma into sea sediments approx. 5-700,000 years ago, uplifting them in the process. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View of the dome structure of Archangelos, formed by an intrusion of viscous magma into sea sediment... [info]
(102 Hits)

A good seismic network needs several stations... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(77 Hits)

Walking across the beach already in the shade of the afternoon, with the vertical tuff wall behind. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Walking across the beach already in the shade of the afternoon, with the vertical tuff wall behind. ... [info]
(102 Hits)

We reach a sandier area of the beach. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(82 Hits)

After some swimming, we return by boat. The black rocks are part of an andesitic (?) intrusion that domed up sea sediments. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

After some swimming, we return by boat. The black rocks are part of an andesitic (?) intrusion that ... [info]
(90 Hits)

Contact of the intrusion with the overlying sediments. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(96 Hits)

Hydrothermal alteration and high silica content give many of the old volcanic deposits a white color. Hence, this small beach only accessible by boat, is known as the "White Beach". (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Hydrothermal alteration and high silica content give many of the old volcanic deposits a white color... [info]
(76 Hits)

A famous landmark along the southwestern coast, often called the "Indian Rock". (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
(102 Hits)

Seagulls (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(70 Hits)

Wild erosion structures have shaped bizarre formations into the old tuffs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(74 Hits)

Hydrothermal alteration of the tuffs left green clay minerals (mostly montmorillonite) with a greenish tint. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Hydrothermal alteration of the tuffs left green clay minerals (mostly montmorillonite) with a greeni... [info]
(88 Hits)

Much younger pyroclastic layers have draped the older volcanic units. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(76 Hits)

Small sea cave (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(81 Hits)

The two bright bands of the Lower Pumice 1 and 2 formations draped over the older white rocks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The two bright bands of the Lower Pumice 1 and 2 formations draped over the older white rocks. (Phot... [info]
(78 Hits)

Sea and wind erosion structures. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(83 Hits)

Altered volcanic rocks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(75 Hits)

Bizarre shapes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(73 Hits)

Altered volcanic breccia (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(69 Hits)

Altered fine-grained pumice breccia (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(52 Hits)

The red beach cinder cone with the peak of the island in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(99 Hits)

Approaching the red beach. To the left, further from the vent, oxidation of iron-bearing minerals has been less intense, which is why the color of the lava fragments gradually changes from red to black. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Approaching the red beach. To the left, further from the vent, oxidation of iron-bearing minerals ha... [info]
(91 Hits)

Despite obvious signs of instability and rockfalls, many people seem not to worry to lie directly under the wall... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Despite obvious signs of instability and rockfalls, many people seem not to worry to lie directly un... [info]
(84 Hits)

The graded layers of the cinder cone in the evening light. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(87 Hits)

As we sail around the corner, we approach the beautiful chapel of Agios Nikolas. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

As we sail around the corner, we approach the beautiful chapel of Agios Nikolas. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffe... [info]
(70 Hits)

During the day, the site is crowded with tourists. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(73 Hits)

Crosses painted onto the rock face. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(74 Hits)

View of the southern coast with the prominent cliff composed entirely by deposits from massive pyroclastic flows during the Minoan eruption about 3600 years ago. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View of the southern coast with the prominent cliff composed entirely by deposits from massive pyroc... [info]
(67 Hits)

|| Gallery Index

Guaranteed tours

Santorini Island, Greece, spring 2019: tour on Akrotiri peninsula

More on VolcanoDiscovery