Santorini

Walter L. Friedrich

Description

When the Greek island of Santorini, classically known as Thera, erupted dramatically in 1613 BC (+/- 13 years), it produced one of the largest explosions ever witnessed, thereby possibly giving rise to the legend of Atlantis. This so-called 'Minoan' eruption triggered tsunamis that devastated coastal settlements in the region, and on Santorini it left behind a Bronze Age Pompeii, which is currently being excavated. Thriving Bronze Age settlements on the island - rich in colorful wall paintings and highly sophisticated pottery - were buried under thick layers of volcanic ash. The ejection of an immense volume of dust into the atmosphere also altered global climate for several years. The author, a well-known geologist, blends the thrill of scientific discovery with a popular presentation of the geology, archeology, history, peoples, and environmental settings of the island group of Santorini. He not only gives a comprehensive overview of the volcanic island and its past, but also reports on the latest discoveries: The finding, for example, of the olive trees which had been buried alive by the Minoan eruption has made it possible now to give a direct and precise radiocarbon date for the volcanic catastrophe. Furthermore, he seeks to assign certain geological structures, such as faulted rocks, red lavas and harbor sites, as depicted on the Bronze Age frescos from Santorini, to still-existing details in the Santorini landscape of today. Excellent color photographs and illustrations along with easily understandable scientific and historic details will make this book highly appealing to a wide audience. It will also be useful as a supplementary text for introductory courses in earth and atmospheric science, geology, volcanology, and paleoclimatology, as well as ancient history and archeology.

Sujets

• Archaeology
• Prehistoric Europe

Informations

• Publié par: Aarhus University Press
• Date de parution: 27 octobre 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9788779347472
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 42 Mo

Extrait

The satellîte îmage shows the central part o the Santorînî caldera wîth the îslands Palea and Nea Kamenî. Photo: EUROPEAN SPACE CENΤER.

Santorînî

Walter L Frîedrîch Santorini Volcano Natural History  Mythology

Translation Alexander R McBirney

Aarhus Unîversîty Press

Santorini – volcano, natural history, mythology

© The Author and Aarhus University Press 2009

Cover design: Jørgen Sparre Cover illustration: Red Water Bay on Palea Kameni, Santorini Photo: The author

eISBN 978 87 7934 747 2

Published with the financial support of The Aarhus University Research Foundation

Aarhus University Press Langelandsgade 177 8200 Aarhus N Denmark www.unipress.dk

Gazelle Book Services Ltd. White Cross Mills Hightown, Lancaster, LA1 4XS United Kingdom www.gazellebookservices.co.uk

David Brown Book Co. PO Box 511 Oakville, CT 06779 USA www.oxbowbooks.com

To my sons Andreas and Michael and my grandchildren Anna, Jakob, Nanna, Jeppe, Johanne and Esben

Contents

I

The geologîcal ramework

II

The Mînoan eruptîon

Preace îx Acknowledgements x Introductîon xî

 1 The geography of Santorini 7 Thera – the maîn îsland o Santorînî 9 Therasîa – the Lîttle Thera 11 Aspronîsî – The Whîte Island 11 The Kamenî Islands 1 The Caldera – the large central basîn 1 Kolumbos – the învîsîble volcano 1 The Chrîstîana-îslands – relatîves o the Santorînî 1 An îsland wîth deep roots în hîstory 1

 2 Santorini and plate tectonics 23 Contînental drît and Plate tectonîcs  Geology o the Aegean regîon 8

 3 The geological development of Santorini 33 Non-volcanîc rocks  Volcanîc rocks and theîr deposîtîon 6

 4 Stratigraphy  the backbone of geology 51 Paleontologîcal remaîns 5 Marîne ossîls o the Proîtîs Elîas 5 Marîne ossîls at Archangelos Vouno 5 Absolute datîng 5 Datîng o organîc remaîns 55 Tephrochronology 55

 5 Plant remains and geological time 61 Plant ossîls în volcanîc regîons6 The plant ossîls o Santorînî6 Plant remaîns o the Fîra Beds 65 Plants as îndîcators o clîmate 7 The lora o Santorînî today7

 6 The mechanism of the Minoan eruption 79 Was there warnîng o the eruptîon? 8 The îrst (plînîan) phase 85 The second (base surge) phase 88