Week 5: Volcanos in Greece

Volcanoes in Greece

    Greece, due to the surrounding tectonic plates and faultiness, volcanos have been able form within the countries boundaries. Greek territory lays home to six total volcanos, four of which are still considered active. On top of the six, one more active volcano lays completely submerged underwater. This volcano is called Kolumbo and it lies in Aegean Sea, off the coast of the Island of Santorini. 

The Island of Santorini is its own home to a volcano, the Santorini volcano, as the island is in itself was formed by volcanic activity. Santorini is one of the most popular Greek volcano and it's last eruption was in 1950. It is also known as the Santorini Caldera, being one of the biggest caldera's in existence. 

The other three active volcanos fall on their own islands as well. They include, Methana, Milos, and Nisyros. 

Nisyros | Volcano World | Oregon State University

The cool thing about Greek volcanoes is that they all fall along what is called, the Volcanic Arc. The Volcanic Arc is a belt of volcanoes formed above a subducting oceanic plate. The belt of volcanoes is arranged in an arc shape when seen from above.
South Aegean Volcanic Arc - Wikipedia

The volcanic risk for Greece lies fairly low despite all the volcanoes that lie near. First off most of the volcanoes pretty far are away from the mainland, which helps limit damage from an eruption hopefully just to the home island. The biggest issue and concern comes from the spread of ash through the air. It is hard for Greek officials and governing bodies to plan for such events, as volcanic eruptions can happen seemingly in an instant without a lot of warning. Greece in 2019 put together a plan for emergency action incase an eruption occurs. It was nicknamed, "Talio" and sets into action only during a case of imminent threat of volcanic activity. 

The biggest threat for eruption to Greece is currently the Santorini volcano as it is currently at high risk for a sciesmic activity induced event. Although, a cataclysmic doomsday type eruption is extremely unlikely, the Santorini Volcano has had major eruptions before. 3,366 years ago the Volcano erupted, putting an end to the Minoan civilization that occupied and flourished on the island. Another major eruption could lead to major losses of life, as the island is one of Greece's largest tourist hotspots. Many lives would be at risk. 

Santorini Caldera Tours - A unique experience | ibextourssantorini.com

Sources

https://greekreporter.com/2022/08/02/santorini-volcano-to-erupt-again-say-scientists/

https://www.worlddata.info/europe/greece/volcanos.php#:~:text=Out%20of%206%20volcanos%20in,submarine%20volcano%20off%20the%20coast.

https://www.greeka.com/about/nature/volcanoes/

Comments

  1. ClaytonFebruary 24, 2023 at 10:32 AM

    I found your post very informative and liked that you were able to use previously learned knowledge and tie it in with this week's topic.

    ReplyDelete

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