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Submarine hydrothermal systems along active volcanic ridges and arcs are highly dynamic, responding to both oceanographic (e.g., currents, tides) and deep-seated geological forcing (e.g., magma eruption, seismicity, hydrothermalism, and crustal deformation, etc.). In particular, volcanic and hydrothermal activity may also pose profoundly negative societal impacts (tsunamis, the release of climate-relevant gases and toxic metal(loid)s). These risks are particularly significant in shallow (

Hydrographic survey of the southeastern coastal margin of Lesvos Island (Greece) was conducted in January 2018 by R/V METEOR. The main morphological characteristic of the southern margin of Lesvos Island is a sub-parallel to the coast elongated basin, 30 km long, 5–10 km wide, and 700 m deep. It is interrupted by an oblique NW–SE narrow channel of 650 m depth, which separates the adjacent platform areas surrounding the longitudinal basin. The northern margin of the basin is abrupt with morphological slopes of more than 10°, following the major WNW-ESE normal fault surface, running along the coastal zone, with an overall throw of more than 800 m. In contrast, the southern margin shows a gradual slope increase from 1° to 5°, where several shallow sub-bottom profiles across the basin have indicated the existence of some minor WNW-ESE normal faults and one reverse/strike-slip fault zone, with throws of a few up to 13 m. However, the NW–SE narrow channel intersecting the basin is bounded by two sub-vertical fault zones with sinistral strike-slip motion and throws of more than 150 m. The above structure was reflected in the mainshock of magnitude 6.3 (12/6/2017), corresponding to a WNW-ESE normal fault dipping to the SSW and the two major aftershocks of magnitude 5.2 and 5.0 corresponding to the two sub-parallel NW–SE sinistral strike-slip faults of the channel. This active deformation comprising WNW-ESE normal faults and NW–SE or NE-SW strike-slip faults is compatible with the area’s overall tectonic frame at the eastern margin of the Aegean microplate. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

The aim of the current work is to introduce bathymetry data into Geographic Information Systems tools for mapping, monitoring and assessing the geohazards in the Greek islands between Crete and Kasos at the Mediterranean sea. The offshore area lying east of Crete is studied on the basis of new bathymetric data. The data was obtained by a multibeam sonar system which allows the imaging of the seafloor. The collected multibeam data have been extensively processed in order to be cleaned of erroneous beams, filtered of noise, processed of navigation data and interpolated of missing beams. The analysis and representation was performed with the ArcGIS software. Resulting maps were analyzed and presented. The analysis of the slope values and the watershed at the eastern part of Crete reflects intense tectonic activity. We have found out that the basin geometry is an elongated rectangular which is divided into seven sub-basins. The multibeam bathymetric data show that the relief is a complex compound of submarine canyons, landslides and a well-defined slump with vertical displacement. These conditions increase substantially the potential of a geohazard in the area. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.

Studies of submarine hydrothermal systems in Mediterranean Sea are limited to the southern Italian volcanism, while are totally missing in the Aegean. Here, we report on the geochemistry of high-temperature fluids (up to 220°C) venting at 500 m b.s.l. from the floor of Kolumbo submarine volcano (Hellenic Volcanic Arc, Greece), which is located 7 km northeast of Santorini Island. Despite the recent unrest at Santorini, Kolumbo submarine volcano is considered more active due to a higher seismicity. Rizzo et al. (2016) investigated the He-isotope composition of gases collected from seven chimneys and showed that are dominated by CO2 (>97%), with only a small air contamination. Here we provide more-complete chemical data and isotopic compositions of CO2 and CH4, and Hg(0) concentration. We show that the gases emitted from different vents are fractionated by the partial dissolution of CO2 in water. Fractionation is also evident in the C-isotope composition (δ13CCO2), which varies between -0.04 and 1.15‰. We modeled this process to reconstruct the chemistry and δ13CCO2 of intact magmatic gases before fractionation. We argue that the CO2 prior to CO2 dissolution in water had δ13C ∼-0.4‰ and CO2/3He ∼1 × 1010. This model reveals that the gases emitted from Kolumbo originate from a homogeneous mantle contaminated with CO2, probably due to decarbonation of subducting limestone, which is similar to other Mediterranean arc volcanoes (e.g., Stromboli, Italy). The isotopic signature of CH4 (δ13C ∼-18‰ and δD ∼-117‰) is within a range of values typically observed for hydrothermal gases (e.g., Panarea and Campi Flegrei, Italy), which is suggestive of mixing between thermogenic and abiotic CH4. We report that the concentrations of Hg(0) in Kolumbo fluids are particularly high (∼61 to 1300 ng m-3) when compared to land-based fumaroles located on Santorini and worldwide aerial volcanic emissions. This finding may represent further evidence for the high level of magmatic activity at Kolumbo. Based on the geo-indicators of temperature and pressure, we calculate that the magmatic gases equilibrate within the Kolumbo hydrothermal system at about 270°C and at a depth of ∼1 km b.s.l. © 2019 Rizzo, Caracausi, Chavagnac, Nomikou, Polymenakou, Mandalakis, Kotoulas, Magoulas, Castillo, Lampridou, Marusczak and Sonke.

The interpretation of new multichannel seismic profiles and previously published high-resolution swath and seismic reflection data from the Gökova Gulf and southeast of Kos Island in the eastern Aegean Sea revealed new morphotectonic features related to the July 20, 2017 Mw6.6 Bodrum-Kos earthquake offshore between Kos Island and the Bodrum Peninsula. The seafloor morphology in the northern part of the gulf is characterized by south-dipping E–W-oriented listric normal faults. These faults bend to a ENE–WSW direction towards Kos Island, and then extend parallel to the southern coastline. A left-lateral SW–NE strike-slip fault zone is mapped with segments crossing the Gökova Gulf from its northern part to south of Kos Island. This fault zone intersects and displaces the deep basins in the gulf. The basins are thus interpreted as the youngest deformed features in the study area. The strike-slip faults also produce E–W-oriented ridges between the basin segments, and the ridge-related vertical faults are interpreted as reverse faults. This offshore study reveals that the normal and strike-slip faults are well correlated with the focal mechanism solutions of the recent earthquake and general seismicity of the Gökova Gulf. Although the complex morphotectonic features could suggest that the area is under a transtensional regime, kinematic elements normally associated with a transtensional system are missing. At present, the Gökova Gulf is experiencing strike-slip motion with dominant extensional deformation, rather than transtensional deformation. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

In the original publication there is a mistake in the supplementary material. The correct supplementary material is provided in this correction article. © 2018, Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.

New bathymetric and seismic reflection data from the Santorini–Amorgos Tectonic Zone in the southern Cyclades have been analysed and a description of the morphology and tectonic structure of the area has been presented. The basins of Anhydros, Amorgos and Santorini–Anafi have been distinguished together with the intermediate Anhydros Horst within the NE-SW oriented Santorini–Amorgos Tectonic Zone which has a length of 60–70 km and a width of 20–25 km. The basins represent tectonic grabens or semi-grabens bordered by the active marginal normal faults of Santorini–Anafi, Amorgos, Ios, Anhydros and Astypalaea. The Santorini–Anafi, Amorgos and Ios marginal faults have their footwall towards the NW where Alpine basement occurs in the submarine scarps and their hangingwall towards the southeast, where the Quaternary sediments have been deposited with maximum thickness of 700 m. Six sedimentary Units 1–6 have been distinguished in the stratigraphic successions of the Santorini–Anafi and the western Anhydros Basin whereas in the rest area only the upper four Units 3–6 have been deposited. This shows the expansion of the basin with subsidence during the Quaternary due to ongoing extension in a northwest-southeast direction. Growth structures are characterized by different periods of maximum deformation as this is indicated by the different sedimentary units with maximum thickness next to each fault. Transverse structures of northwest-southeast direction have been identified along the Santorini–Amorgos Tectonic Zone with distinction of the blocks/segments of Santorini, Anhydros/Kolumbo, Anhydros islet and Amorgos. Recent escarpments with 7–9 m offset observed along the Amorgos Fault indicate that this was activated during the first earthquake of the 7.5 magnitude 1956 events whereas no recent landslide was found in the area that could be related to the 1956 tsunami. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Story maps are used as an interactive tool for communication and information dissemination. A web-based application using story mapping technology is presented to explore the Methana peninsula. This volcanic area is characterized by specific volcanic geoforms, unique flora and rich history. The story map combines maps, narrative texts and multimedia content. The spatial data produce thematic maps created by a Geographic Information System on geological data, historical monuments, biodiversity and hiking paths. The purpose is to highlight the distinguishing characteristics of the Methana peninsula, to enable users to interact with maps, texts and images and to inform professional and non-professional users about the particular aspects of volcanic areas. © 2018 by the authors.

In subduction zone backarcs, extensional deformation and arc volcanism interact and these processes, together with mass wasting, shape the seafloor morphology. We present a new bathymetric map of the Santorini-Christiana-Amorgos backarc region of the Hellenic subduction zone by merging high-resolution multibeam swath data from the R/V Langseth PROTEUS seismic experiment with existing maps. The map together with Knudsen subbottom echosounding profiles reveal that recent tectonism, volcanism, and mass wasting are more prevalent in the Santorini-Amorgos region on the east side of Santorini than in the Christiana Basin on the west side. In the Santorini-Amorgos region, large normal faults form the Anydros and Anafi Basins. Where normal fault segments overlap, two nearby accommodation zones generate a relay ramp and the adjoining Anydros synclinal horst with associated complex faulting and elevated seismicity. The ongoing normal faulting in the Santorini-Amorgos region is accompanied by potentially tsunamigenic submarine landsliding; we identified a large submarine landslide along the Santorini-Amorgos Fault and a smaller landslide with an overlying debris chute along the Amorgos Fault. Volcanic activity is also focused in this eastern region along the Kolumbo lineament within the Anydros Basin. Within the Christiana Basin we discovered the Proteus Knoll and adjacent buried edifice. We suggest that this is an older volcanic edifice formed along the Hellenic Volcanic Arc between Santorini and Milos. Around Santorini itself, features formed during, and immediately after, the Late Bronze Age eruption dominate the seafloor morphology such as the northern strait and wrinkled seafloor pyroclastic flow deposits. This topography is continually reshaped at a smaller scale by ongoing mass wasting. We infer that the earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami activity of the Santorini-Amorgos region is a consequence of focused northwest-southeast extension as the southeastern Aegean moves away from the Attico-Cycladic complex in response to slab breakup and rollback. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

The morphotectonic structure of the offshore area lying between Crete and Kasos is studied on the basis of new detailed bathymetric data. The resulting bathymetric map is presented. Qualitative analysis of morphological slope values, as well as the analysis of the watershed at the eastern part of Crete, confirms that the current seabed topographic relief reflects intense tectonic activity. The high morphological slope values indicate well-defined morphotectonic features, which mainly trend SW-NE and, secondarily, SSW-NNE. The main large-scale tectonic structures trend SW-NE correspond to the marginal faults that bound the Crete-Kasos basin. The overall basin geometry is an elongated rectangular which is divided into seven sub-basins, and the deepest one (2800m) is located at the eastern part of the area. Moreover, the complex regime of the seafloor includes submarine canyons, landslides and a well-defined slump with vertical displacement more than 400m.

Caldera-forming eruptions of island volcanoes generate tsunamis by the interaction of different eruptive phenomena with the sea. Such tsunamis are a major hazard, but forward models of their impacts are limited by poor understanding of source mechanisms. The caldera-forming eruption of Santorini in the Late Bronze Age is known to have been tsunamigenic, and caldera collapse has been proposed as a mechanism. Here, we present bathymetric and seismic evidence showing that the caldera was not open to the sea during the main phase of the eruption, but was flooded once the eruption had finished. Inflow of water and associated landsliding cut a deep, 2.0-2.5 km3, submarine channel, thus filling the caldera in less than a couple of days. If, as at most such volcanoes, caldera collapse occurred syn-eruptively, then it cannot have generated tsunamis. Entry of pyroclastic flows into the sea, combined with slumping of submarine pyroclastic accumulations, were the main mechanisms of tsunami production. © The Author(s) 2016.

Studies of submarine hydrothermal systems in Mediterranean Sea are limited to the southern Italian volcanism, while are totally missing in the Aegean. Here, we report on the geochemistry of high-temperature fluids (up to 220°C) venting at 500 m b.s.l. from the floor of Kolumbo submarine volcano (Hellenic Volcanic Arc, Greece), which is located 7 km northeast of Santorini Island. Despite the recent unrest at Santorini, Kolumbo submarine volcano is considered more active due to a higher seismicity. Rizzo et al. (2016) investigated the He-isotope composition of gases collected from seven chimneys and showed that are dominated by CO2 (>97%), with only a small air contamination. Here we provide more-complete chemical data and isotopic compositions of CO2 and CH4, and Hg(0) concentration. We show that the gases emitted from different vents are fractionated by the partial dissolution of CO2 in water. Fractionation is also evident in the C-isotope composition (δ13CCO2), which varies between -0.04 and 1.15‰. We modeled this process to reconstruct the chemistry and δ13CCO2 of intact magmatic gases before fractionation. We argue that the CO2 prior to CO2 dissolution in water had δ13C ∼-0.4‰ and CO2/3He ∼1 × 1010. This model reveals that the gases emitted from Kolumbo originate from a homogeneous mantle contaminated with CO2, probably due to decarbonation of subducting limestone, which is similar to other Mediterranean arc volcanoes (e.g., Stromboli, Italy). The isotopic signature of CH4 (δ13C ∼-18‰ and δD ∼-117‰) is within a range of values typically observed for hydrothermal gases (e.g., Panarea and Campi Flegrei, Italy), which is suggestive of mixing between thermogenic and abiotic CH4. We report that the concentrations of Hg(0) in Kolumbo fluids are particularly high (∼61 to 1300 ng m-3) when compared to land-based fumaroles located on Santorini and worldwide aerial volcanic emissions. This finding may represent further evidence for the high level of magmatic activity at Kolumbo. Based on the geo-indicators of temperature and pressure, we calculate that the magmatic gases equilibrate within the Kolumbo hydrothermal system at about 270°C and at a depth of ∼1 km b.s.l.

Submarine volcanism represents ~80% of the volcanic activity on Earth and is an important source of mantle-derived gases. These gases are of basic importance for the comprehension of mantle characteristics in areas where subaerial volcanism is missing or strongly modified by the presence of crustal/atmospheric components. Though, the study of submarine volcanism remains a challenge due to their hazardousness and sea-depth. Here, we report 3He/4He measurements in CO2–dominated gases discharged at 500 m below sea level from the high-temperature (~220 °C) hydrothermal system of the Kolumbo submarine volcano (Greece), located 7 km northeast off Santorini Island in the central part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). We highlight that the mantle below Kolumbo and Santorini has a 3He/4He signature of at least 7.0 Ra (being Ra the 3He/4He ratio of atmospheric He equal to 1.39×10−6), 3 Ra units higher than actually known for gases-rocks from Santorini. This ratio is also the highest measured across the HVA and is indicative of the direct degassing of a Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalts (MORB)-like mantle through lithospheric faults. We finally highlight that the degassing of high-temperature fluids with a MORB-like 3He/4He ratio corroborates a vigorous outgassing of mantle-derived volatiles with potential hazard at the Kolumbo submarine volcano.

Submarine hydrothermal systems along active volcanic ridges and arcs are highly dynamic, responding to both oceanographic (e.g., currents, tides) and deep-seated geological forcing (e.g., magma eruption, seismicity, hydrothermalism, and crustal deformation, etc.). In particular, volcanic and hydrothermal activity may also pose profoundly negative societal impacts (tsunamis, the release of climate-relevant gases and toxic metal(loid)s). These risks are particularly significant in shallow (2–dominated fluids at high temperatures (~265°C) with a clear mantle signature. Kolumbo’s HVF hosts actively forming seafloor massive sulfide deposits with high contents of potentially toxic, volatile metal(loid)s (As, Sb, Pb, Ag, Hg, and Tl). The proximity to highly populated/tourist areas at Santorini poses significant risks. However, we have limited knowledge of the potential impacts of this type of magmatic and hydrothermal activity, including those from magmatic gases and seismicity. To better evaluate such risks the activity of the submarine system must be continuously monitored with multidisciplinary and high resolution instrumentation as part of an in-situ observatory supported by discrete sampling and measurements. This paper is a design study that describes a new long-term seafloor observatory that will be installed within the Kolumbo volcano, including cutting-edge and innovative marine-technology that integrates hyperspectral imaging, temperature sensors, a radiation spectrometer, fluid/gas samplers, and pressure gauges. These instruments will be integrated into a hazard monitoring platform aimed at identifying the precursors of potentially disastrous explosive volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides of the hydrothermally weakened volcanic edifice and the release of potentially toxic elements into the water column.