No latest activity reported for Kos.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Allen S R, 2001. Reconstruction of a major caldera-forming eruption from pyroclastic deposit characteristics: Kos Plateau Tuff, eastern Aegean Sea. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 105: 141-162

Allen S R, Cas R A F, 1998. Lateral variations within coarse co-ignimbrite lithic breccias of the Kos Plateau Tuff, Greece. {Bull Volc}, 59: 356-377

Allen S R, Cas R A F, 2001. Transport of pyroclastic flows across the sea during the explosive, rhyolitic eruption of the Kos Plateau Tuff, Greece. {Bull Volc}, 62: 441-456

Allen S R, McPhie J, 2001. Syn-eruptive chaotic breccia on Kos, Greece, associated with an energetic pyroclastic flow. {Bull Volc}, 63: 421-432

Georgalas G C, 1962. Greece. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 12: 1-40

Katsui Y (ed), 1971. List of the World Active Volcanoes. {Volc Soc Japan draft ms}, (limited circulation), 160 p

Keller J, 1982. Mediterranean Island Arcs. {In}: Thorpe R S (ed) {Andesites}, New York: John Wiley Sons, p 307-326

Keller J, Rehren T, Stadlbauer E, 1990. Explosive volcanism in the Hellenic arc: a summary and review. {In}: Hardy D (ed) {Thera and the Aegean World III}, London: Thera Foundation, 2: 13-26

Pallidino D M, Simei S, Kyriakopoulos K, 2008. On magma fragmentation by conduit shear stress: evidence from Kos Plateau Tuff, Aegean volcanic arc. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 178: 807-817

Pe-Piper G, Piper D J W, Perissoratis C, 2005. Neotectonics and the Kos Plateau Tuff eruption of 161 ka, South Aegean arc. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 139: 315-338

Piper D J W, Pe-Piper G, Lefort D, 2010. Precursory activity of the 161 ka Kos Plateau Tuff eruption, Aegean Sea (Greece). {Bull Volc}, 72: 657-669

The island of Kos is dominantly non-volcanic but contains Miocene to Pleistocene volcanic centers. The Kamari caldera is of mid-Pleistocene age and contains the 1.0-0.55 million-year-old, post-caldera Zini lava dome. The widespread Kos Plateau Tuff (erupted about 160,000 years ago), which blankets much of the western half of Kos, originated from an original stratovolcano located between Kos and Nisyros islands and resulted in the formation of a large caldera. The caldera dimensions are uncertain, but may extend as much as 20 km from Kefalos Bay in SW Kos Island to Nisyros Island. Remnants of the pre-eruption stratovolcano are preserved on the islets of Pachia and Pyrgousa and as submarine volcanic rocks on Nisyros. Kos was included in the Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World (Georgalas, 1962) based on its geothermal activity. Several solfatara fields are found on Kos island, including Vromotopos at Kefalos Isthmus on the western side of the island and a group of thermal areas at the eastern side of Kos. Thermal activity consists of weak hydrogen sulfide emission, sulfur deposits, and two hot springs along the southeastern coast.