Global Volcanism Program

Most Recent Weekly Report: 8 January-14 January 2003 Cite this Report

According to a news article, the crater of Nisyros was declared off limits to visitors, due to increasing temperatures and growing surface cracks. Evangelos Layios, the director of Athens University's geophysics laboratory, stated, ". . . earthquakes in 1995-96 triggered changes in the general condition of the volcano. For example, the hydrothermal system has increased in [temperature] from 210 to 315 degrees Celsius, there is continuous microseismic activity as well as changes on the surface of the ground." The ban on visitors was prompted by a crack on the volcano that almost tripled in length over the past year to 139 m.

Source: Kathimerini News

Weekly Reports - Index

2003: January

8 January-14 January 2003 Cite this Report

According to a news article, the crater of Nisyros was declared off limits to visitors, due to increasing temperatures and growing surface cracks. Evangelos Layios, the director of Athens University's geophysics laboratory, stated, ". . . earthquakes in 1995-96 triggered changes in the general condition of the volcano. For example, the hydrothermal system has increased in [temperature] from 210 to 315 degrees Celsius, there is continuous microseismic activity as well as changes on the surface of the ground." The ban on visitors was prompted by a crack on the volcano that almost tripled in length over the past year to 139 m.

Source: Kathimerini News

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Nisyros.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

212050

1888 CE

698 m / 2,290 ft

36.5888°N
27.1553°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Caldera
Lava dome(s)

Rock Types

Major
Dacite
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Rhyolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

672
680
14,285
461,031

Geological Summary

The easternmost volcano of the Aegean arc forms the 9-km-wide island of Nisyros, which is truncated by a 3-4 km wide caldera. The island was constructed during the past 150,000 years, with three cone-building stages including explosive and effusive andesitic eruptions and effusive and extrusive dacitic and rhyolitic activity. The age of the caldera is variously considered to be less than 24,000 years before present (BP) (Keller et al., 1990) and older than 44,000 years BP (Limburg and Varekamp, 1991). Five large post-caldera lava domes completely fill the western part of the caldera. The NE-most (Boriatiko) and SW-most (Karaviotis) lava domes and flows are significantly younger than the other domes. A sixth post-caldera dome, outside the SW caldera rim, produced lava flows that reached the coast. Historical phreatic eruptions occurred from craters within the caldera between 1422 and 1888. Intense hydrothermal activity continues in the form of many fumaroles on the caldera floor and hot springs along the coast.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Brombach T, Caliro S, Chiodini G, Fiebig J, Hunziker J C, Raco B, 2003. Geochemical evidence for mixing of magmatic fluids with seawater, Nisyros hydrothermal system, Greece. Bull Volcanol, 65: 505-516.

Caliro S, Chiodini G, Galluzzo D, Granieri D, La Rocca M, Saccorotti G, Ventura G, 2005. Recent study of Nisyros volcano (Greece) inferred from structural, geochemical and seismological data. Bull Volcanol, 67: 358-369.

Di Paola G M, 1974. Volcanology and Petrology of Nisyros Island (Dodecanese, Greece). Bull Volcanol, 38: 944-987.

Francalanci L, Varekamp J C, Vougioukalakis G, Defant M J, Innocenti F, Manetti P, 1995. Crystal retention, fractionation and crustal assimilation in a convecting magma chamber, Nisyros volcano, Greece. Bull Volcanol, 56: 601-620.

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

Keller J, 1980. The island of Vulcano. Soc Italiana Min Petr, 36: 368-413.

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.

Lagios E, Sakkas V, Parcharidis I, Dietrich V, 2005. Ground deformation of Nisyros volcano (Greece) for the period 1995-2002: results from DInSAR and DGPS observations. Bull Volcanol, 68: 201-214.

Limburg E M, Varekamp J C, 1991. Young pumice deposits on Nisyros, Greece. Bull Volcanol, 54: 68-77.

Marini L, Principe C, Chiodini G, Cioni R, Fytikas M, Marinelli G, 1993. Hydrothermal eruptions of Nisyros (Dodecanese, Greece). Past events and present hazard. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 56: 71-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-0273(93)90051-R

Sachpazi M, Kontoes C, Voulgaris N, Laigle M, Vougioukalakis G, Sikioti O, Stavrakakis G, Baskoutas J, Kalogeras J, Lepine J C, 2002. Seismological and SAR signature of unrest at Nisyros caldera, Greece. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 116: 19-33.

Tibaldi A, Pasquare F A, Papanikolaou D, Nomikou P, 2008. Discovery of a huge sector collapse at the Nisyros volcano, Greece, by on-land and offshore geological-structure data. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 177: 485-499.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1888 Sep 25 ± 4 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Polyvotis Micros

1888 Sep 25 ± 4 days - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Polyvotis Micros

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
1888 Sep 25 ± 4 days	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1873 Jun - 1873 Sep 26 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Plegathon and Polyvotis

1873 Jun - 1873 Sep 26

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Plegathon and Polyvotis

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Blocks
- - - -	- - - -	Mud
- - - -	- - - -	Earthquakes (undefined)	Before.
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
1873 Jun	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1871 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Plegathon and Polyvotis

1871 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Plegathon and Polyvotis

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Flames
- - - -	- - - -	Earthquakes (undefined)
- - - -	- - - -	Property Damage
1871	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1422 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1422 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Uncertain
1422	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Achelone

Vent

Acheolus

Vent

Agios Joannis

Vent

588 m

Alexandros

Vent

Andreas

Vent

Kaminakia

Vent

Logothetis

Vent

Phlegethon

Vent

Polybotes

Vent

Polyvotis Megalos
Megalos Polybotes

Vent

Polyvotis Micros
    Mikros Polybotes
    Polybotes Micros
    Micros Polybotes

Vent

Stefanos
Stephanos

Vent

110 m

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Boriatiko Vouno

Dome

Karaviotis

Dome

Kratioti

Dome

Lofos

Dome

Profitis Ilias
Profit Elias

Dome

698 m

Trapezina

Dome

Thermal

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Emborio

Thermal

Kailia

Thermal

Nikia

Thermal

Piria

Thermal

Photo Gallery

The tuff 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. Five explosion craters are located in the 800 x 1,400 m caldera floor. Post-caldera lava domes form the horizon.

Photo by Ichio Moriya (Kanazawa University).

The 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. 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).

The island of Yali (upper left) and the island of Nisyros Island (lower right) are shown this NASA International Space Station image (with N to the upper left). Yali contains two distinct segments connected by a narrow isthmus formed of modern reef sediments and consists of rhyolitic obsidian domes at the NE end and pumice-fall deposits at the SW end. A caldera 3-4 km wide, much of the W side of which is filled by post-collapse lava domes, is visible on Nisyros Island.

NASA International Space Station image ISS006-E-30975, 2003 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

Nisyros has a 3.6-km-diameter caldera with walls 300-400 m high and is filled with lava domes, seen here in this September 2019 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top). The edifice also has vents, scoria cones, dikes, fault systems, and geothermal features, including active fumaroles and hot springs.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2019 (https://www.planet.com/).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Nisyros in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Nisyros. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Nisyros. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Nisyros

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).