Mount Hagi Ilias lava dome occupies the western side of a 3-4 km wide caldera at the summit of Nisyros volcano, the easternmost of the Aegean arc. The age of the caldera is variously considered to be <24,000 years before present (BP) and >44,000 years BP. Five large post-caldera lava domes completely fill the western part of the caldera. Historical phreatic eruptions occurred within the caldera between 1422 and 1888.

Photo by Ichio Moriya (Kanazawa University).

Additional Photos

The ash cone and crater in the foreground were formed during an eruption on the caldera floor in 1871. Phreatic explosions ejected ash and lapilli that covered the caldera floor, destroying fruit gardens. Five explosion craters pocket the 800 x 1400 m wide caldera floor. Post-caldera lava domes form the horizon.

Photo by Ichio Moriya (Kanazawa University).