The legend of Atlantis is one of mankind's oldest myths. This legend was first echoed by a Greek philosopher named Plato around 360 BC. He described Atlantis is a prosperous country that disappeared without a trace after sinking into the sea.
Several hundred years later, many people believe that Santorini is one of the islands in the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea is the mythical Atlantis. But unfortunately, this beautiful country with Minoan culture was swept away by a tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption.
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| Many people believe that Santorini was once Atlantis (artist's impression), as the description given by Plato has many common points with the story of the Minoan Akrotiri, which also disappeared without leaving any trace. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1faiU7) |
And a new study shows the possibility of a tsunami caused by pyroclastic flows (clastic rocks formed from volcanic material) into the sea. This theory is considered challenging previous theories.
The eruption at Santorini in 1500 BC caused a large tsunami suspected as a factor that led to the end of the Minoan culture. Evidence of at least nine meter high waves have been found at several sites near the island of Crete, Greece.
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| A new study suggests that the tsunamis may have been generated by the pyroclastic flow of volcanic material into the sea – a theory that challenges previous explanations for the tsunamis that led to the demise of Minoan culture. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1faiU7) |
Previous studies assumed that the collapse of the volcano's crater (caldera) into the sea and caused a tsunami. But researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens put forward a different theory. The researchers analyzed the seabed beneath the caldera, and found evidence of the caldera is not connected to the sea when it collapsed.
The latest findings said that the caldera flooded by sea water after the explosion occurred. But the flood itself is not possible to create a tsunami. Instead, the researchers believe that the pyroclastic large volumes of volcanic flow in a high speed into the ocean, so it is strong enough in moving water to create a tsunami.
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| A diagram shows the development of Santorini caldera prior to, during, and following the Late Bronze Age eruption. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1faiU7) |
In their paper published in the journal Nature, researchers led by Paraskevi Nomikou, write interesting findings as follows; "A tsunami in regional scale associated with volcanic eruptions created by a pool of pyroclastic flows, which coupled with the possibility of quickly sliding of the mass pyroclastic deposits from the mountain slopes into the sea."
And other evidence to support this theory is the pyroclastic deposits in Santorini has a thickness of up to 60 meters. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]
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