Santorini caldera, Volcanic caldera in Thira Municipality, Greece
This caldera is a crescent-shaped body of water surrounded by vertical rock faces of layered pumice and ash, spanning the western coast of several islands. Two small islands rise from the center, showing bare black and reddish lava rock with no vegetation.
The explosion in the second millennium BCE caused the island center to collapse into the sea, triggering waves across the eastern Mediterranean. Later eruptions created the central islands in the 16th and 20th centuries CE, with the last major activity occurring in the 1950s.
The settlements along the rim use the steep slopes for cave houses carved into volcanic rock, their thick walls naturally cool in summer heat. Local vintners grow vines directly in black lava soil, shaping the grapes into low basket forms to shield them from the winds.
Walking paths along the rim connect the villages and offer open views over the water, with early mornings or late afternoons less crowded. Steps and uneven cobblestones require sturdy footwear, while direct sun in summer calls for shade and protection.
The seawater inside the caldera is far deeper than the surrounding Aegean and maintains a different temperature through volcanic vents on the floor. Some spots show rising bubbles and discolored water where hot mineral water emerges from the seafloor.
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