What makes Santorini unique is the coexistence of grand geologic time in contrast to perpetual ephemeral human activity. The geologic history of the volcano dwarfs the considerable human presence on the island that reaches back to prehistory, and which in other places would have acquired center stage.

Santorini is an island of extremes. The volcanic explosion, that some say destroyed the Minoan civilization, was one of the largest in human history and the views it left behind are some of the most spectacular on earth. Tight clusters of bright, geometric human dwellings flow atop organic, dark igneous rock formations in a peculiar balancing act against the blue horizon of the Aegean. The eyes can rest on many landscapes; geologic, cultural, or architectural, but they always return to the same point of reference prehistoric man gazed upon the infinite horizon of the azure-blue sea as it appears a bit more distant and mysterious from the edge of the volcano.

What I found interesting about Santorini was the constant reminder of man’s existence in perspective with nature’s longevity, and the ability of a culture to flourish despite the harshness and dangers of life on the volcano. Every square centimeter of Thera speaks of time. Time eternal, in the form of rock formations and dramatic terra-forming, and Time ephemeral in the form of little cubist clusters of homes hanging precariously at the edge of the sleeping volcano. Even human civilization that reaches back to prehistory is exposed as ephemeral in Santorini.

On Thera one anticipates the tremendous forces of nature that tend to emphasize our mortal fragility a bit more than usual. A reminder that makes the present moment even more meaningful, its enjoyment even more imperative, and its existence a bit more exhilarating.