hh5 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 The volcano that may have given rise to the legend of Atlantis has awakened, researchers say. The cataclysmic eruptions at the Greek isle of Santorini about 3,600 years ago that spewed forth about 9.5 to 14.3 cubic miles (40 to 60 cubic kilometers) of lava devastated the ancient seafaring Minoan civilization, potentially inspiring the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. From the air, the resulting caldera, or volcanic crater, appears as a small cluster within the larger collection of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/04/24/volcano-behind-atlantis-legend-re-awakens/?intcmp=obinsite#ixzz1uCVz7brJ Link to comment
C James Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 It's hard to imagine just how vast that caldera is. Here's a satellite photo, which shows the caldera in the center (the small island marked with a volcano symbol is a volcanic island that has grown within the caldera). HEre's a pic I took from the rim, looking down at a large cruise ship anchored next to that island in the caldera's center. Volcanic eruptions aren't rare there; the last one was in the 1950's, and enlarged that small island. Most eruptions at Santorini are small, though the big one that blasted out that caldera was anything but. That little island, btw, is all lava, and also has so many hot springs that it stains the water in places. There's even a geothermally heated bay on it, a popular swimming spot. Link to comment
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