SEA KAYAK MILOS
MILOS
GEO TOUR
Milos boasts spectacular coastal cliffs with multicoloured volcanic rocks on display. It is exceptionally rich in mineral deposits and has a particular scenic beauty leaving visitors breathless.
- Geo Landmarks
- Sea Caves
- Old Mines
GEO LANDMARKS
As with its more famous neighbor Santorini, 75km to the southeast, Milos is composed almost entirely of volcanic rocks. Unlike Santorini, which was formed from a single volcanic centre, Milos is composed of dozens of eruptions that occurred over a period of about one million years, 3-4 million years ago. This complex volcanic origin is responsible for the wide variety of useful rocks and minerals mined over the millennia and for the unique, colorful rock formations that comprise the coastline. Although the volcanic activity has ceased, earthquakes occasionally rock the island – the last major one was in 1993. Geothermal activity continues to the present day, and can be seen in the form of steam vents, native sulphur deposits, hot springs and a natural sauna cave.
SEA CAVES
Of particular interest to kayakers, is the abundance of sea caves, which occur all around the island. Numbering well over 150, they are particularly abundant in the southwest of the island, around an area called Kleftico and on the North coast at Sarakiniko and Papafragkas. Many of the caves form impressive arches with others forming tunnels up to 50 m long. Other caves have massive, cathedral like roofs, while some have small entrances and crooked passages.
OLD MINES
Milos is exceptionally rich in mineral deposits and has a particular scenic beauty leaving visitors breathless.
The inhabitants of Milos are economically dependent on Mining and Tourism. Tourism has only recently developed and the island remains untouched by hotel chains and package tourism. Mining has occurred since ancient times and currently occupies half the workforce for the island. This dual economy has preserved an authentic local culture that is not found on many of the other islands that are entirely reliant on tourism.
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