St. Pavlos Volcanic Dome

Near the town of Thanos in SW Lemnos, a highly distinctive volcanic formation stands by the sea. The volcanic dome on the hill of Saint Pavlos is a conical volcanic formation composed of dacitic lava which formed 19.3-18.2 million years ago.

The formation of this dome is related to the intense volcanic activity that created the chain of volcanic domes in southwestern Lemnos. Rising magma with a high potassium and silicon concentration permeated the pre-existing sedimentary and pyroclastic geological formations, causing their uplifting. In some cases, the volcanic material surfaced as thick lava, where it instantly cooled, forming the distinctive volcanic structure which characterizes the area’s terrain.

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