Cyprus: Island of Snakes, Cats, and Ophiolites

Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean, has a unique geological history. The island began to form 90 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous, with molten rock pouring from the seafloor and solidifying into new oceanic crust. Over time, portions of this oceanic rock were wrenched upward by tectonic forces, emerging as a rugged island made of ophiolite. The island's dark rocks, visible in the Troodos Mountains, are remnants of that ancient island. Sedimentary rocks accumulated around the island, developing into a second, smaller island to the south during a later period of geologic uplift. The joined landmass comprises the Akrotiri Peninsula, now the southernmost tip of Cyprus. The peninsula's sandy edges were visible when Landsat 8 captured images on October 10, 2026. Akrotiri Salt Lake, a coastal lagoon, lies between the two land bridges, or tombolos, formed by river-deposited gravels and sands. The lake's water levels vary with the seasons, attracting flamingos that feed on fairy shrimp. However, the wintering flamingo population has declined in recent years, plummeting to 30 birds in 2025.