Hazardous explosive eruptions of a recharging multi-cyclic island arc caldera

Authors

• Jonas Preine, University of Hamburg
• Jens Karstens, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Christian Hübscher, University of Hamburg
• Tim Druitt, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Clermont-Ferrand
• Steffen Kutterolf, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Paraskevi Nomikou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Michael Manga, University of California at Berkeley
• Ralf Gertisser, Keele University
• Katharina Pank, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Sarah Beethe, Oregon State University
• Carole Berthod, CNRS
• Gareth Crutchley, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Iona McIntosh, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Thomas Ronge, Texas A&M University
• Masako Tominaga, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Acacia Clark, University of Tasmania
• Susan DeBari, Western Washington University
• Raymond Johnston, University of South Florida
• Zenon Mateo, Texas A&M University
• Ally Peccia, Columbia University
• Christopher Jones, University of California at Riverside
• Günther Kletetschka, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Abigail Metcalfe, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Clermont-Ferrand
• Alexis Bernard, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour
• Hehe Chen, China University of Geosciences, Beijing
• Shun Chiyonobu, Akita University
• Tatiana Fernandez-Perez, Kent State University
• Kumar Batuk Joshi, National Centre for Earth Science Studies
• Olga Koukousioura, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Molly McCanta, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Antony Morris
• Paraskevi Polymenakou
• Adam Woodhouse
• Yuzuru Yamamoto
• Kuo Lung Wang
• Hao Yang Lee
• Xiaohui Li
• Dimitrios Papanikolaou

Abstract

Caldera-forming eruptions of silicic volcanic systems are among the most devastating events on Earth. By contrast, post-collapse volcanic activity initiating new caldera cycles is generally considered less hazardous. Formed after Santorini’s latest caldera-forming eruption of ~1600 bce, the Kameni Volcano in the southern Aegean Sea enables the eruptive evolution of a recharging multi-cyclic caldera to be reconstructed. Kameni’s eruptive record has been documented by onshore products and historical descriptions of mainly effusive eruptions dating back to 197 bce. Here we combine high-resolution seismic reflection data with cored lithologies from International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 at four sites to determine the submarine architecture and volcanic history of intra-caldera deposits from Kameni. Our shore-crossing analysis reveals the deposits of a submarine explosive eruption that produced up to 3.1 km³ of pumice and ash, which we relate to a historical eruption in 726 ce. The estimated volcanic explosivity index of magnitude 5 exceeds previously considered worst-case eruptive scenarios for Santorini. Our finding that the Santorini caldera is capable of producing large explosive eruptions at an early stage in the caldera cycle implies an elevated hazard potential for the eastern Mediterranean region, and potentially for other recharging silicic calderas.

DOI Link

10.1038/s41561-024-01392-7

Publication Date

2024-03-25

Publication Title

Nature Geoscience

Volume

17

Issue

4

ISSN

1752-0894

Acceptance Date

2024-02-02

Deposit Date

2024-06-19

Funding

The samples and data used in this study were provided by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). We express our gratitude to the technical staff of the RV JOIDES Resolution for their dedicated efforts in achieving the scientific objectives of Expedition 398, as well as to all the individuals aboard the ship for contributing to an exceptional experience. We would like to extend special thanks to B. Rhinehart, C. Peng and our colleagues for their invaluable assistance in overcoming numerous challenges, and to K. Petronotis and the leadership of IODP for their support. In addition, we would like to acknowledge the member organizations of IODP for financial support, and the Municipality of Thera for their assistance in expedition preparations. Furthemore, we thank the captains and crews of RV Poseidon Expeditions POS338 and POS538. J.P. was supported by the German Research Foundation (Grant Hu698/27). The contribution of T.D. is part of the laboratory of Excellence ClerVolc (Laboratory of Excellence ClerVolc Contribution Number 627). Open access funding provided by Universität Hamburg.

Additional Links

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85188517756

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

First Page

323

Last Page

331

Recommended Citation

Preine, J., Karstens, J., Hübscher, C., Druitt, T., Kutterolf, S., Nomikou, P., Manga, M., Gertisser, R., Pank, K., Beethe, S., Berthod, C., Crutchley, G., McIntosh, I., Ronge, T., Tominaga, M., Clark, A., DeBari, S., Johnston, R., Mateo, Z., Peccia, A., Jones, C., Kletetschka, G., Metcalfe, A., Bernard, A., Chen, H., Chiyonobu, S., Fernandez-Perez, T., Joshi, K., Koukousioura, O., McCanta, M., Morris, A., Polymenakou, P., Woodhouse, A., Yamamoto, Y., Wang, K., Lee, H., Li, X., & Papanikolaou, D. (2024) 'Hazardous explosive eruptions of a recharging multi-cyclic island arc caldera', Nature Geoscience, 17(4), pp. 323-331. Available at: 10.1038/s41561-024-01392-7