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Closely associated to the legend of Atlantis. Santorini or Thira, as the Greeks call it, used to be a large circular island until a volcano erupted sinking the entire interior of the island, leaving behind a crescent. Santorini/Thira is also home to the most beautiful sunset in the world, make sure you take the time to watch it, it’s totally worth it!
Santorini or Thira was created by a series of volcanic eruptions. Thira is located in the center Volcanoes erupted making the island bigger every time until 30,000 years ago, when the island was twice the size it is today. It was completely filled in and formed a round island until the Volcano of Riva erupted 25,000 years ago. After the volcano erupted, the center of the island sank leaving behind a ring island. Santorini is closely associated to the legend of Atlantis. Eventually a new another island formed in the middle of the ring island and became another caldera. The island used to be called Strongili, which means round in Greek.
The island was victim to a volcano eruption in spring of 1613 BC. One of the volcanoes in the center the new caldera erupted. It was the second strongest volcanic eruption witnessed by man in the last 10,000 years. It completely destroyed Strongili. The eruption was so strong that it is believed to have been the main cause of the destruction of the Minoan civilization on Crete 113 km (70 miles away). This is why it was called the Minoan eruption. The eruption lasted 48-64 hours, during which 60 sq km (23 sq miles) of ash, pumice and rocks were ejected into the air. Ash and pumice reached the stratosphere. Right after the eruption the island was in darkness for 2 weeks which turned into winter that lasted 2 years! The eruption sank one quarter of the island and it also broke it into three pieces; Santorini, Thirasia and Aspronissi. The eruption deposited 60 m (196 ft) of ash on the island, expanding the east by 1-2 km (0.6-1.2 miles).
The last eruption was in 1950, it lasted 22 days. There was an earthquake in 1956 that destroyed a lot of the buildings so people had no choice but to evacuate the island. Tourist rediscovered the island in the 1970’s and it wasn’t long before Thira/Santorini became one of the top destinations in the world!
Named after a Venetian church called Santa Irini, the Greeks know it better as Thira.
The island was nearly abandoned after the earthquake of 1956.
Scientific research shows that if the volcanoes that are located on Palea and Nea Kameni, in the center of Santorini-Thira were to erupt, the eruption would last three years and it would create a volcanic dome 115-125 m (337-140 ft) high. They have an intensive monitoring system in place to record all seismic activity.
Donkeys walk the streets of Thira, around sunset, on their way home from their day hauling people up and down the side of the cliff.
Part of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean sea. Santorini can be reached by plane, ferry or cruise.
There are accommodations in Thira, Santorini island. You can book your hotel below. My links search through all the online sites to find you the best prices. This site will earn a small commission on your purchase. By using the links below you are helping to fund this site.
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