INGV researchers engaged in the oceanographic campaign in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Santorini, to study the environment in the crater of the submarine volcano Kolumbo
Implement scientific tools for visual record of the activity of the Kolumbo submarine volcano, located in the Aegean Sea about 8 km northeast of Santorini, monitor the temperature of its hydrothermal vents and maintain the devices already in operation. These are the goals of the last one oceanographic expedition, called THIRA23, conducted by and by ', In collaboration with the 'National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) under the research program "SANTORY: SANTORini seafloor volcanic observatory".
"IThe SANTORY research program is an innovative interdisciplinary project aimed at the continuous monitoring of the Kolumbo submarine volcano, through the implementation of innovative equipment in the field of marine technology, such as hyperspectral sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, radiation spectrometers and through the 'acquisition of data and samples for the analysis of the hydrothermal field, born with the aim of collecting useful data for the correct planning of the response to a possible volcanic crisis with the creation of specialized maps of volcanic risk. In this regard, the data recorded by the scientific instruments will enrich the database of the Civil Protection Agency of the Municipality of Santorini", says Fausto Grassa, researcher of the Palermo Section of INGV (INGV-PA).
The second expedition, which has just ended, was conducted with the use of the Greek oceanographic vessel AEGAEO of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research.
"During these two campaigns some water samples were taken, both in the vicinity of the hydrothermal emissions and along a vertical profile, from the surface to the bottom, at a depth of about 500 metres. The samples were analyzed in the laboratories of the Palermo Section and provided useful information on the geochemical characteristics of the thermal emissions”, adds Fausto Grassa
"INGV contributed through the installation of a multi-parameter submarine observatory, during the first campaign held last December, within the most active area of the base of the crater at a depth of 500 metres. The observatory has allowed us to record an unprecedented series of chemical-physical and acoustic data which will be invaluable for the study of the area; during this last expedition we proceeded to recover the observatory, download the data recorded in the intervening period and recharge the batteries for a further data collection period which will end in October, on the occasion of the next recovery campaign”, continues Sergio Sciré Scappuzzo, technologist of the Palermo section of INGV (INGV - PA).
Kolumbo has been studied over the past 20 years by scientists from all over the world, in collaboration with the Municipality of Santorini, in order to inform policy makers and citizens about underwater research and the marine risks associated with volcanic phenomena.
"It is essential to continue funding these oceanographic missions as well as the maintenance of monitoring instruments to allow continuous measurements in order to understand the state of the volcano. The SANTORY project also represents a model for the development of underwater observatories around the world”, conclude the researchers.
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