A geological hiking tour in March 2019 on Santorini

Dutch group at Metaxas Quarry, Santorini, explaining the stratigraphy of the Minoan (Thera) eruption, c. 1627 BC.
Dutch group at the Metaxas Quarry on Santorini—an ideal spot to explain the stratigraphic sequence of the Minoan (Thera) eruption, dated to around 1627 BC, with its distinctive ash and pumice layers visible in the quarry walls.

Santorini Geological Tour (21–30 March): Spring blooms, caldera views, and active volcano islets

In late March I guided a Dutch group (with tour operator Paul Schiethart) on a geology-focused round trip across Santorini. March is early in the season—cooler and quieter—so we planned a culture-and-geology itinerary rather than a beach holiday. We covered the island’s essential geological and cultural highlights and included a classic boat excursion to Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, the volcanic islets inside the Santorini caldera.

After a rainy winter, Santorini was greener and more colourful than I’ve seen in over 20 years: wildflowers everywhere and—most unusually—violet lupin meadows on Nea Kameni, a striking contrast to its dark lava and ash.

A detailed day-by-day plan appears in the tour programme and my photo galleries, so I won’t repeat it here. If this taste of Santorini geology, volcanology, and history inspires you, explore my upcoming departures in cooperation with VolcanoDiscovery at www.naturediscovery.de

 

Photos of the Tour
View across the Santorini caldera with volcanic cliffs and the Aegean Sea — photo © Tobias Schorr.
View across the Santorini caldera with volcanic cliffs and the Aegean Sea — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Fira (Thira), the main town of Santorini, with whitewashed houses on the caldera rim — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Fira (Thira), the main town of Santorini, with whitewashed houses on the caldera rim — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Upper Fira by the Nomikos Conference Center on the Santorini caldera rim — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Upper Fira by the Nomikos Conference Center on the Santorini caldera rim — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Minoan household altar with dolphin decoration (c. 1800–1627 BC) on display at the Museum Thira — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Minoan household altar with dolphin decoration (c. 1800–1627 BC) on display at the Museum Thira — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Small clay oven from approx. 1800–1627 BC — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Small clay oven from approx. 1800–1627 BC — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Golden ram figurine from the Minoan period (c. 1800–1627 BC), found during works on the new protective shelter; on display at Museum Thira — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Golden ram figurine from the Minoan period (c. 1800–1627 BC), found during works on the new protective shelter; on display at Museum Thira — photo © Tobias Schorr.
View from Metaxas Quarry across the Santorini caldera toward the Akrotiri peninsula — photo © Tobias Schorr.
View from Metaxas Quarry across the Santorini caldera toward the Akrotiri peninsula — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Taxiarches Chapel at Metaxas Quarry, Akrotiri, Santorini — small chapel amid volcanic outcrops — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Taxiarches Chapel at Metaxas Quarry, Akrotiri, Santorini — small chapel amid volcanic outcrops — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Metaxas Quarry near Akrotiri showing stratigraphic layers of the Minoan (Thera) eruption, c. 1627 BC — Santorini geology — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Metaxas Quarry near Akrotiri showing stratigraphic layers of the Minoan (Thera) eruption, c. 1627 BC — Santorini geology — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Greek guide Chara Abdelioti briefing the group at the Minoan archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Greek guide Chara Abdelioti briefing the group at the Minoan archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Minoan-era bed revealed using plaster at the Akrotiri excavations, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Minoan-era bed revealed using plaster at the Akrotiri excavations, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Triangular Square at the Minoan archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Triangular Square at the Minoan archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Red Beach, Santorini — eroded remnant of an ancient volcanic cinder cone with red cliffs and dark sand — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Red Beach, Santorini — eroded remnant of an ancient volcanic cinder cone with red cliffs and dark sand — photo © Tobias Schorr.
Jetty of the Delfinia restaurant in Akrotiri. (c) Tobias Schorr
Jetty of the Delfinia restaurant in Akrotiri. (c) Tobias Schorr
A freshly caught swordfish served at the Delfinia restaurant in Akrotiri. (c) Tobias Schorr
A freshly caught swordfish served at the Delfinia restaurant in Akrotiri. (c) Tobias Schorr
A swordfish caught near Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
A swordfish caught near Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
View of the springtime caldera of Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
View of the springtime caldera of Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The lighthouse at the Cape of Akrotiri guides ships into the caldera of Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The lighthouse at the Cape of Akrotiri guides ships into the caldera of Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Calcite crystals at a shop in Pyrgos.
Calcite crystals at a shop in Pyrgos.
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Charming alley in the upper part of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Charming alley in the upper part of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
A walk with the group through the alleys of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
A walk with the group through the alleys of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
The church on the summit of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
The church on the summit of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Agios Iakovos on the castle of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Agios Iakovos on the castle of Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
View from the entrance of the castle hill of Pyrgos over the island. (c) Tobias Schorr
View from the entrance of the castle hill of Pyrgos over the island. (c) Tobias Schorr r
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Pyrgos. (c) Tobias Schorr
One of the many cats on Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
One of the many cats on Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The group examines ancient fossils at the summit of Profitis Ilias. (c) Tobias Schorr
The group examines ancient fossils at the summit of Profitis Ilias. (c) Tobias Schorr
View of the Akrotiri Peninsula. (c) Tobias Schorr
View of the Akrotiri Peninsula. (c) Tobias Schorr
View over the caldera of Santorini from the summit of Profitis Ilias. (c) Tobias Schorr
View over the caldera of Santorini from the summit of Profitis Ilias. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lunch at the Marmita restaurant in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lunch at the Marmita restaurant in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Taverna Marmita in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Taverna Marmita in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Restaurant Marmita in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Restaurant Marmita in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church in Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Donkeys in a field near Megalochori, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Donkeys in a field near Megalochori, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Good-luck charm on a donkey’s forehead. (c) Tobias Schorr
Good-luck charm on a donkey’s forehead. (c) Tobias Schorr
Beautiful chapel in spring with mules. (c) Tobias Schorr
Beautiful chapel in spring with mules. (c) Tobias Schorr
Beautiful chapel in spring with mules. (c) Tobias Schorr
Beautiful chapel in spring with mules. (c) Tobias Schorr
Golden chamomile in front of a chapel near Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Golden chamomile in front of a chapel near Megalochori. (c) Tobias Schorr
Small foundation stones for statues with inscriptions of important figures at the marketplace of the ancient city of Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Small foundation stones for statues with inscriptions of important figures at the marketplace of the ancient city of Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Ancient villa on the plateau of the ancient city of Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Ancient villa on the plateau of the ancient city of Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Yellow horned poppy in the excavation site of Ancient Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Yellow horned poppy in the excavation site of Ancient Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
The tour group in Ancient Thera, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The tour group in Ancient Thera, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Votive stone with a Roman bull. (c) Tobias Schorr
Votive stone with a Roman bull. (c) Tobias Schorr
Sanctuary of the Egyptian deities on the acropolis of ancient Thera on Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Sanctuary of the Egyptian deities on the acropolis of ancient Thera on Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
Agios Stefanos and the summit of Ancient Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Agios Stefanos and the summit of Ancient Thera. (c) Tobias Schorr
Captain’s house in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Captain’s house in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church square with an ancient column capital in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Church square with an ancient column capital in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
The tour group in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
The tour group in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Cat at the largest church in the Emporio castle. (c) Tobias Schorr
Cat at the largest church in the Emporio castle. (c) Tobias Schorr
View over Emporio from the castle. (c) Tobias Schorr
View over Emporio from the castle. (c) Tobias Schorr
At Vasili’s café in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
At Vasili’s café in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Greek color design in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
Greek color design in Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
The very well-preserved ancient temple is today the church of Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis near Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
The very well-preserved ancient temple is today the church of Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis near Emporio. (c) Tobias Schorr
A very rare sight! The craters of the Daphne volcanic eruption on Nea Kameni in green! (c) Tobias Schorr
A very rare sight! The craters of the Daphne volcanic eruption on Nea Kameni in green! (c) Tobias Schorr
Tour group at the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
Tour group at the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
The Nautilus lava dome on Nea Kameni, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The Nautilus lava dome on Nea Kameni, Santorini. (c) Tobias Schorr
The Georgios crater on Nea Kameni, Santorini, which last erupted in 1940. (c) Tobias Schorr
The Georgios crater on Nea Kameni, Santorini, which last erupted in 1940. (c) Tobias Schorr
Site of the last volcanic eruption on Nea Kameni in 1950. (c) Tobias Schorr
Site of the last volcanic eruption on Nea Kameni in 1950. (c) Tobias Schorr
View from Nea Kameni toward the neighboring island of Thirasia. (c) Tobias Schorr
View from Nea Kameni toward the neighboring island of Thirasia. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lupines blooming in front of the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lupines blooming in front of the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lupines bloom in front of the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
Lupines bloom in front of the crater of the Daphne eruption. Nea Kameni Island, Santorini Archipelago. (c) Tobias Schorr
The youngest island of Greece: the volcano Nea Kameni in the Santorini Archipelago.
The youngest island of Greece: the volcano Nea Kameni in the Santorini Archipelago.
View of the Daphne craters from 1939. (c) Tobias Schorr
View of the Daphne craters from 1939. (c) Tobias Schorr

Botanology

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