Kerkis or Kerketeus (Greek, Modern: Κέρκης, Kérkis; Ancient: Κερκετεύς, Kerketeús) is an extinct volcano, forming the bulk of the center of the Greek island of Samos. Its highest peak, named Vigla (Βίγλα), is variously given as between 1,433 and 1,450 m (4,701 and 4,757 ft), making it the second-highest peak in the Aegean (after Zas on Naxos). The mountain's name, in both ancient and modern forms, means roughly, "belonging to Circe". A volcano is a geological landform (usually a mountain) where magma (rock of the Earths interior made molten or liquid by extremely high temperatures along with a reduction in pressure and/or the introduction of water or other volatiles) erupts through the surface of the planet. ... This is a list of some of the 3000 islands of Greece: Chrysi Crete Dia Euboea Gavdos Koufonisi Ydra The Cyclades Amorgos Anafi Andros Antiparos Anydro Delos Donoussa Folegandros Gyaros Ios Irakleia Kea Keros Kimolos Kithnos Makronisos Milos Mykonos (Mikonos) Naxos Paros Pholegandros Santorini (also called Thira) Serifos Sifnos Sikinos... Samos (Greek Σαμος; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is an island in southeastern Greece in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Asia Minor. ... The Aegean Sea. ... Circe, a painting by Edward Burne-Jones In Greek mythology, Circe or Kirkê (Greek Κίρκη)was a goddess living on the island of Aeaea. ...

The mountain has a whitish color due to a high chalk content, especially visible on several exposed cliffs. It is considered a sanctuary for numerous plants and animals, some of them endangered, and so is part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network of protected sites. There are also several small monasteries on its slopes, as well as a number of caves. Of these, the most notable is the Cave of Pythagoras on the eastern slope, in which Pythagoras is reputed to have hidden from the tyrant Polycrates prior to going into exile in Italy. The Needles, part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation Chalk is a soft, white, porous form of limestone composed of the mineral calcium carbonate. ... The American bison numbered as few as 750 in 1890 due to extreme overhunting. ... NATURA 2000 is a project by the European Union and each of its member states to protect the environment. ... Buddhist monastery near Tibet A monastery is the habitation of monks. ... Pythagoras (582 BC – 496 BC, Greek: Πυθαγόρας) was an Ionian mathematician and philosopher, known best for formulating the Pythagorean theorem. ... A tyrant (from Greek τυραννος tyrannos) is a usurper of rightful power, possessing absolute power and ruling by tyranny. ... Polycrates, son of Aeaces, was the tyrant of Samos from 535 BC to 515 BC. He took power during a festival of Hera with his brothers Pantagnotus and Syloson, but soon had Pantagnotus killed and exiled Syloson to take full control for himself. ...