Scientists have revealed what is hidden under the volcano in the Aegean Sea and why it is dangerous

Using a new method of imaging volcanoes, scientists have discovered a large, previously undetected cluster

mobile magma under Columbo, an active underwatervolcano near Santorini, Greece. The presence of a magma chamber increases the likelihood of a future eruption. Researchers have warned specialists about the danger.

Almost four hundred years ago, in 1650 Columbo breached the surface of the sea and erupted, killing 70 people on Santorini. However, scientists stress that this eruption should not be confused with the catastrophic eruption of Mount Tera that occurred around 1600 BC, which was caused by growing reservoirs of magma beneath Columbo's surface. Now researchers have found that the molten rock in the chamber reaches the same volume.

Research published in journalsGeochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, was the first to use full-wave seismic inversion imaging to look for changes in magmatic activity beneath the surface of submarine volcanoes along the Greek Arc, where Columbo is located.

The study showed that the total volume of the melt,accumulated in the magma reservoir under Columbo is 1.4 km³. If the current rate of magma chamber growth continues, sometime in the next 150 years Columbo could reach the 2 km³ of melt estimated to have been ejected during the 1650 AD eruption, Khrapkiewicz said.

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Cover: Underwater volcanic activity along the Columbo Crater site on the seafloor, observations with monitoring equipment, photo by SANTORY