the Largest Explosive Eruptions in Santorini’s Hidden Past
Unveiling evidence of massive ancient eruption in Santorini’s Volcanic field.The GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, 2013 in collaboration with the International Ocean Research Program (IODP). An international expedition led by Steffen Kuterrolf has found evidence of one of the largest submarine explosions on record in the Aegean Sea. The findings, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, shed light on the previously underestimated history of Christiana Santorini’s Colombo volcanic field eruption
Santorini, a Greek archipelago formed by the remnants of a powerful volcano, has long fascinated scientists. Researchers have modeled newly discovered giant pumice from the seafloor at seven coastal sites around Santorini, revealing a much larger explosive history than previously believed
The Greek Aegean Sea has a recorded history of more than 20 submarine volcanoes with volcanic eruptions up to 60 kilometers in diameter, some of which were extremely eruptive according to GEOMAR’s volcanologist, Dr. Joyce. Steffen Kutterolf emphasized the importance of earlier volcanic eruptions, saying, “For example, the Late Bronze Age eruption on Santorini about 3600 years ago may have contributed to the collapse of the Minoan civilization.” Crete—an important subject for both volcanology and archaeology.”
Dr. University of Clermont-Auvergne; Kuterolf, Dr. An international team led by Timothy and Druitt has discovered previously unknown thick layers of pumice around Santorini, suggesting a much larger explosion of the ocean floor about 520,000 years ago.
Dr. Kutterolf provided insight into the magnitude of the discovery, stating, “The newly discovered tuff deposit has a volume of more than 90 cubic kilometers and is up to 150 meters thick. This makes it ten times larger than those of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption of 22 January 2022 and six times larger than the pyroclastic flow deposits of the Minoan eruption.
Pyroclastic flows, comprising hot ash, rock, and gas, originated from a submarine volcano during the ancient eruption, transforming into turbid flows and mud upon contact with water. These flows transported substantial amounts of volcanic material up to 70 kilometers into the surrounding sea basins, with evidence found on three neighboring islands.
Various methods, including micropalaeontology, were employed to decipher the eruption’s details. Microfossils (foraminifera) with known geological age and water depth preferences were crucial in dating and estimating the water depth of the eruption. Physical parameters like density and porosity were determined on board, and the chemical composition of drilled samples was analyzed using GEOMAR’s electron microprobe.
Dr. Kutterolf emphasized the importance of understanding the past for predicting the future, stating, “Despite this explosive history, the researchers agree that it is very unlikely that the volcanic field will experience another eruption of this magnitude in the near future.” The newfound insights provide a crucial foundation for anticipating and managing potential future volcanic events in the region.
