Aspronisi (Greek: Ασπρονήσι) is an uninhabited island lying within the Santorini caldera.[1] The island was originally formed by the massive Minoan eruption in the 2nd millennium BC, after which it was gradually built up by successive volcanic activity.[2] The name Aspronisi, which means ‘White Island’ in Greek, is derived from the island being partially composed of white pumice.[3][4]
Catamaran Santorini sruises
Aspronisi Island
- Aspronisi was formed through the gradual volcanic activity in Santorini caldera, which itself is composed of four distinct shield volcanoes.[5] The island was formed along with the current Santorini caldera during a massive eruption in the 2nd millennium BC that expelled 14 cubic miles (60 km3 ) of dense rock. Aspronisi was briefly a submarine volcano before the force of the eruption pushed the islet above the surface, after which dense layers of pumice and tephra ejected from the volcano covered the island.
- These deposits eventually solidified into the pale white deposits that give Aspronisi its moniker of the "White Isle".[4] The base of the island is composed of black lava rock, and the island is connected to the larger islands of Therasia and Santorini by the submerged outer edge of Santorini caldera.
when it got connected to electricity. It stopped operating during World War II, until 1945, when it was reconstructed by the Greek Navy.The Lighthouse is built right above a small building with whitewashed walls, which used to be the house of the warden, who was taking care of it during the first years that it was operating and it reaches up to 10 meters in height. Today, it is still operational as it emits a bright white light over the sea every 10 seconds and still contributes to the protection of the traveling boats.