An international research team has been studying underwater activity for 20 years volcano Columboneone of the most active submarine volcanoes of the Mediterranean, 7 km northeast of Santorinithrough the research program Santory.

The Santory International Team is attended by scientists with years of experience in the study of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc by the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment and the Department of Physics of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Institute of Marine Biology, Biology and Biology, Biology National Technical University of Athens, the National Institute of Geophysics and Hephaestics of Palermos, the University of Milan-Bikoka and the Spanish Society Ploatech, co-ordinated by Professor of Geological Oceanography of EKPA Paraskevi.

The research program, funded by the Hellenic Research and Innovation Foundation (ELIDEK), according to information from the NCSR, has produced significant scientific results, enhancing the knowledge of the Columbus submarine volcano.

“With recent earthquakes in the Santorini maritime area, everyone’s attention is focused on the submarine volcano Columbus. Columbus, though invisible from the surface to 7 km northeast of Santorini, is one of the most active submarine volcanoes in the Mediterranean. His latest explosion in 1650 caused toxic gases that cost the life of over 70 residents of Santorini, while the following tsunami caused serious damage to Santorini, Ios and Sikinos, “the statement said.

The Columbus volcano is for Santory scientists a unique natural workshop, which have been studying for twenty years. “The purpose of our research team in the Santory program is to continue monitoring its activity with state -of -the -art instruments to appreciate how active its hydrothermal field is and analyze how dangerous it is for the population of the nearby islands,” the statement said.

In detail, in the 500 meters in the 500 -meter depth special sensors that measure physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, gas concentrations, pressure, etc.), clippers to measure marine currents in the crater and especially thermometers to measure the measurement changes in the temperature of its chimneys. In addition, visual cameras have been placed in front of active chimneys to record the hydrothermal flow of fluids, as well as a special camera to record the texture of the underwater bottom and a Cheri UV camera to detect Cherenkov radiation It takes place on a global scale. Finally, organs have been installed for real-time radiation measurements.

“In the context of our research, water samples were carried out inside the crater for microbiological analyzes aimed at detecting super -ventricular bacteria. Gas and hydrothermal fluids have also been collected from the very active chimneys, “the research team points out, adding:” Through these efforts, we have data for the first time for two time periods from the Columbus crater, that is, not individual measurements but A pattern that reveals to us the daily life of the volcano. These data is valuable, as if we know its formal activity, any changes in natural-chemical and acoustic parameters will show us changes in its active behavior. “

According to the relevant information from the NCSR, the programs produced innovative results, highlighting the uniqueness of the submarine volcano Columbus, including:

1. Recording changes of natural and geochemical parameters: These changes are linked to the volcanic activity of the active hydrothermal field of Columbus and its volcanic hazard has been assessed.

2. Recording of extremely high physical radiation: For the first time data were recorded showing very high levels of natural radiation within the columbean hydrothermal field.

3. Isolation of microorganisms from the extreme environment of Columbus: These microorganisms are of particular interest in exploiting them in areas of biotechnology, as they have unique adaptation mechanisms in extreme conditions.

4. Metagonal analyzes: These analyzes have revealed new information about the carbon and methane cycle, which directly affect the climate of our planet.

Continuous monitoring of Columbus is essential for the assessment of volcanic danger, as internationally applied to the surveillance of submarine volcanoes.