Evidence of large submarine volcanic eruption 520 kyrs ago in Aegean

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In summary, recent studies have provided evidence of a significant submarine volcanic eruption that occurred approximately 520,000 years ago in the Aegean Sea. This eruption, identified through geological analysis, suggests that it had a considerable impact on the local marine environment and may have influenced regional geological processes. The findings contribute to the understanding of volcanic activity in the area and its potential effects on climate and ecosystems.
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Evidence of one of the largest explosive eruptions ever recorded in the Aegean Sea​

https://phys.org/news/2024-01-evidence-largest-explosive-eruptions-aegean.html
the Late Bronze Age eruption of Santorini around 3,600 years ago probably triggered the downfall of the Minoan civilization on Crete—an important event for both volcanology and archaeology," says Dr Steffen Kutterolf, a volcanologist at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel.

Together with Dr Timothy Druitt from the University of Clermont-Auvergne, he led the expedition to Santorini. The international team of scientists discovered a new deposit around the island, indicating a much larger submarine eruption around 520,000 years ago.

Dr Kutterolf says, "The newly discovered tuff deposit has a volume of more than 90 cubic kilometers and is up to 150 meters thick. This makes it six times larger than the pyroclastic flow deposits of the Minoan eruption and ten times larger than those of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption of 22 January 2022."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-01171-z

I wonder it ranks against Tambora (1815) and Krakatoa (1883).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1815_eruption_of_Mount_Tambora - estimate of 37–45 km3 (8.9–10.8 cubic miles) of dense-rock equivalent (DRE) material into the atmosphere, (Source: Wikipedia article). Not sure how to equate to the Santorini value.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_eruption_of_Krakatoa
 
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an important event for both volcanology and archaeology,"

And important for the Minoans.

Is this unusual? If I looked back, say, a million years, I'd expect there to be 10,000 once-a-century events, 1000 once-per- millennium events. And in a million, a once-per-million years event.
 
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There's always something, given enough time.
 
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BillTre said:
There's always something
In the words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, yes.

A quick look shows over the last 50-100M years there is a Large Igneous Province. Is finding one (possibly smaller) that is 500K years old unusual? Maybe.
 
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Astronuc said:

Evidence of one of the largest explosive eruptions ever recorded in the Aegean Sea​

https://phys.org/news/2024-01-evidence-largest-explosive-eruptions-aegean.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-01171-z

I wonder it ranks against Tambora (1815) and Krakatoa (1883).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1815_eruption_of_Mount_Tambora - estimate of 37–45 km3 (8.9–10.8 cubic miles) of dense-rock equivalent (DRE) material into the atmosphere, (Source: Wikipedia article). Not sure how to equate to the Santorini value.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_eruption_of_Krakatoa
Too simplistic perhaps, but Santorini is estimated at a VEI of 6, same as Krakatoa whereas Tambora is a 7. This would be a high 6 I think

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_large_Holocene_volcanic_eruptions

90 km^3 of volume is between the 18-25 of Krakatoa and 144-213 of Tambora
 

FAQ: Evidence of large submarine volcanic eruption 520 kyrs ago in Aegean

What evidence supports the occurrence of a large submarine volcanic eruption in the Aegean 520,000 years ago?

Evidence for the large submarine volcanic eruption includes geological surveys, sediment core samples, and geochemical analyses that reveal layers of tephra and volcanic ash in the sedimentary record. These layers indicate significant volcanic activity during that time, and isotopic dating techniques have helped to establish the timeline of the eruption.

What impact did the eruption have on the surrounding environment?

The eruption likely had profound effects on the surrounding marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It would have released large volumes of ash and gases into the atmosphere, potentially leading to climate changes, ocean acidification, and disruptions in marine life due to the ash fallout and changes in water chemistry.

How does this eruption compare to other known volcanic events in the region?

This eruption is comparable to other significant volcanic events in the Aegean region, such as the Minoan eruption of Santorini. However, the scale and impact of the 520,000-year-old eruption may have been different, possibly affecting a larger area and having longer-lasting environmental consequences due to its submarine nature.

What methods were used to date the eruption?

Dating of the eruption was primarily achieved through radiometric dating techniques, such as argon-argon (Ar-Ar) dating and uranium-series dating, which allow scientists to determine the age of volcanic rocks and ash layers. Additionally, biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy have been employed to correlate sediment layers with known geological time scales.

What are the implications of this eruption for understanding volcanic activity in the Aegean Sea?

The implications of this eruption for understanding volcanic activity in the Aegean Sea include insights into the tectonic processes at play in the region, the frequency and magnitude of volcanic events, and potential hazards associated with future eruptions. It highlights the need for continuous monitoring of volcanic activity to assess risks to nearby populations and ecosystems.

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