As I am on watch 12-4 am..in front of a series of screens, scanning the amazing seafloor of Santorini volcanic field..I feel that I am truly honored to be a part of this scientific team of this exceptional research project and since I come from Santorini I personally welcome you to my beloved motherland, the uniqueness of which never ceases to enchant me with since I was a child. Despite the hard work on board, I feel blessed that I managed to join this cruise among so many qualified scientific personalities to recount the greatness of this Volcano.

Why Santorini?

Santorini constitutes the best place for this seismic experiment, since its structure and evolution are intertwined with volcanic activity. It has become not only the center of touristic attraction in the Eastern Mediterranean but the center of multidisciplinary scientific studies as well. It is one of the largest Quaternary volcanoes of the Aegean region. The incomparable beauty of the island is the result of several explosive eruptions that have occurred through time. The caldera cliffs expose several sequences of lavas and pyroclastic deposits, which record the evolution of the volcano in space and time. These include the products of 12 major explosive eruptions and the dissected remains of several ancient lava shields, stratovolcanoes, and lava-dome complexes. Santorini is best known for the Minoan eruption of the late Bronze Age. The eruption destroyed an inhabited and culturally high-developed island. Since 1969 excavations near Akrotiri have brought to light an important marine Cycladic town famous for its well-preserved and magnificent wall-paintings. The Minoan eruption has been studied in detail and described by many scientists.

After the completion of our survey, we will be delighted to make our results known to the scientific community and to the people and put more light on the inexplicable magmatic chamber of Santorini.

I hope the students who are onboard will be inspired by the mystery of the volcano and they will continue learning, exploring and promote science.

Thanks Emilie for giving me this opportunity!!!!

Miss you Annoula & Christodoule..Mummy will come soon back to home…

Evi Nomikou