Volcano on Santorini

The volcano on Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc. It’s a still-active system centered in the island’s caldera, with the most recent eruptions forming the islets Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.

Its most famous eruption occurred around 1600 BCE—the Minoan eruption—one of the largest in human history. It reshaped the island into its current crescent form and likely contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization.

Today, the volcano is monitored but considered low risk. Visitors can walk on the black lava of Nea Kameni, seeing steam vents and sulfur deposits up close.