Kakavos Volcanic Domes

Northeast of the village of Thanos is a chain of conical hills which are the volcanic structures that characterize the unique landscape of southwest Lemnos.

These volcanic structures were formed 19.3-18.2 million years ago, when dacitic magma rose to the surface through tectonic discontinuities in the crust, permeating pre-existing sedimentary and volcanic formations. When the viscous magma surfaced, it cooled swiftly, thus forming the characteristic dome structures.

These volcacin domes show intense erosion by strong winds, resulting in the formations of “tafoni” cavities. The chapel of Panagia Kakaviotissa, one of the most picturesque monuments of Lemnos, can be found in the largest of these cavities.

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