In the sun-kissed waters of Santorini, Greece, an international team of scientists, led by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC), has been diving deep into the mysteries of subsea volcanic eruptions. This isn’t your typical beach holiday; these folks are on a mission to enhance our forecasting abilities for underwater volcanic activity, a task that’s as challenging as it is crucial.
You might be thinking, “Volcanoes underwater? Really?” Oh, yes. Hundreds of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth are hidden beneath the waves, and guess how many are monitored? Almost none. This makes forecasting hazards for nearby coastal communities and critical infrastructure a bit of a shot in the dark. But the NOC team is changing that.
The ocean complicates things. Eruptions underwater are influenced by interactions with seawater and fluids circulating through volcanoes, making them even more unpredictable than their land-based counterparts. It’s like trying to predict a toddler’s tantrum—you know it’s coming, but you’re not sure when or how intense it will be.
Enter the NOC’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Isis, an advanced underwater robot that’s been studying how circulating fluids interact with magma deep beneath the Earth’s surface. The team is mapping fluid pathways and their responses during volcanic events, aiming to improve our understanding of how these fluids can influence the strength and hazard of eruptions.
Let’s talk history for a moment. The Minoan eruption of Santorini and the 1650 eruption of nearby Kolumbo volcano were so massive that they left behind calderas—large holes in the ground where the magma chamber once was. These eruptions were devastating, and recent events like the 2022 Hunga Volcano eruption in Tonga have shown us that such events can have global consequences, from tsunamis to severed telecommunications cables.
During their expedition, the team investigated both Santorini and Kolumbo, looking at different types of hydrothermal venting. We’re talking everything from seeps that form underwater lakes of carbon dioxide to bubbly venting at temperatures up to and exceeding 200ºC. They’re trying to understand the full range of fluid flow styles and their potential role in future volcanic activity, not just in Santorini and Kolumbo, but around the world.
Dr. Isobel Yeo, Marine Volcanologist and expedition lead from NOC, puts it bluntly: “Eruptions such as Hunga Volcano in 2022 demonstrate how important it is that we understand the hazards posed by submarine volcanoes, which are much harder to monitor and observe than those on land.” She’s right. The role fluid circulation plays in volcanic explosivity is fundamental but poorly constrained, making future events at submarine volcanoes harder to forecast and increasing uncertainty in hazard planning and mitigation.
So, what does this mean for the future? Well, this work could significantly improve our ability to forecast volcanic hazards and aid responses to future periods of unrest. It’s a game-changer, really. By understanding these processes better, we can protect coastal communities, critical infrastructure, and even global communications. It’s not just about Santorini or Kolumbo; it’s about every underwater volcano out there.
This expedition is a testament to the power of international collaboration. The team is working with colleagues in Greece and around the world to improve our understanding of these hazards. It’s a global effort, and it’s crucial. After all, when it comes to volcanic eruptions, we’re all in this together. This news should spark a debate about how much we’re investing in monitoring and understanding these underwater giants. It’s time to shine a light on the dark depths and make sure we’re ready for whatever they throw at us.