Santorini volcano erupts more often when sea level falls, study reveals

·

A comparative study on the Greek island of Santorini by a team of scientists from among others, the University of Oxford and University of London, revealed that when the sea level falls more than 40 metres below the present-day level, a volcanic eruption is triggered.

The team observed the activity of the volcano and compared it with the sea levels recorded over the past 360,000 years. The team also found that when the sea level is higher, the volcano becomes quiet.

Santorini, a beautiful island in the southern Aegean Sea, is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. The island, part of an archipelago, was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history – the Minoan eruption that occurred around 3,600 years ago.

Although it is now a water-filled caldera (a hollow which occurs when a volcano erupts and then collapses), Santorini is still the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc.

With varying degrees of explosivity, Santorini has erupted many times. According to Sputnik, there have been at least 12 large explosive eruptions, of which around four were caldera-forming.

Santorini volcano.

Historians suggest that the entire volcano used to be above water, but a violent eruption around 1600 BC caused the volcano to cave in partially and led to the formation of a lagoon.

To understand the effect sea levels have on volcanic eruptions, the team designed a computer-simulated version of Santorini’s magma chamber. It sits about 4km beneath the volcano’s surface.

Inside the simulation, the crust above the magma chamber fragmented whenever the sea level dropped at least 40 metres below.

“That allows the magma that’s stored under the volcano to move up through these fractures and make its way to the surface,” study co-author Christopher Satow, a physical geographer at Oxford Brookes University in England, said.

The magma chamber’s simulation collected data that suggested that it should take about 13,000 years for the cracks to reach the surface and awaken the volcano. 

Source: Sputnik.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Jenny Souris Foundation Gala raises $100,000 to help young cancer fighter Jack

The Jenny Souris Foundation’s fundraising gala raised funds for four-year-old Jack, who is courageously battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

Greek Australian George Moulos attempts record-breaking ‘March Across Greece’

Young Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos will embark on a transformative 1,200 km journey across Greece on foot.

proika exhibition explores cultural bonds that unite the Greek Australian community

On November 20, the proika project invites you to the launch their multimedia exhibition, melding fashion, photography and conversations.

Heliades Greek Women’s Network celebrate Melbourne Cup in style

The Greek Women's Network (Heliades) hosted a vibrant celebration of the Melbourne Cup on Sunday, November 3.

Winners announced for the 6th Greek Public Speaking Festival

The Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria (MGTAV) has announced the winners of the 6th Greek Public Speaking Festival.

You May Also Like

Andreas Vazaios: Greek Australian fans will be my strength at Melbourne swimming championship

Greek champion swimmer, Andreas Vazaios, is on his way to Melbourne for the upcoming 16th FINA World Swimming Championships 2022.

Builder George Milatos to pay millions in compensation due to defective houses in NT

Builder George Milatos in Darwin has been told to pay over $2.5 million in compensation to five homebuyers after their homes were found with defects.

Greek Prime Minister to meet US President Biden at the White House in May

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will visit the White House on May 16 to meet US President, Joe Biden.