With its romantic sunsets, dazzling ocean views, and whitewashed buildings clinging to rocky clifftops, the Greek island of Santorini (aka Thera or Thira) is the very picture of an idyll in the Aegean. But this tranquil scene belies the island"s explosive geologic history, for this is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The Minoan eruption, about 3,600 years ago, caused the center of the Thera volcano to collapse into the ocean, leaving Santorini a jagged, crescent-shaped moon atop the sea.
Santorini through the clouds
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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National Umbrella Day
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Mountain mists over Bavaria
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Singing praises of the oceans
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Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan
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30 years after Exxon Valdez
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Shark Awareness Day
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For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
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Sibiu Christmas market, Romania
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A universe underground
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A march toward a dream
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Winter solstice
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Salt of the earth
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Happy birthday, Saguaro National Park
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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A day to celebrate teachers
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What does the fox dream?
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Next stop, Tofino
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It’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball
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Combating extinction with citizen science
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Colle Santa Lucia, Dolomites, Italy
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Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
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World Giraffe Day
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A long path to freedom
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Celebrating National Park Week, April 21-29
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Siblings Day
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In the footsteps of Leopold Bloom
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Trevi in bloom
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Happy winter solstice!
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Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

