A team of international scientists has deployed advanced underwater seismographs to monitor seismic activity near the Kolumbo submarine volcano after the earthquake spike, located northeast of Santorini. The move follows recent tremors in the region, prompting researchers to intensify their study of the area’s geological behavior.
On Tuesday, experts placed four new seismographs inside Kolumbo’s crater and along a nearby underwater fault. These devices, equipped with specialized sensors, will collect data on small earthquakes, ground movement, and changes in the chemical composition of seawater.
Ongoing research in a seismically active region
The research is part of an ongoing effort by scientists from Germany and Greece, including Professor Evi Nomikou from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). They are participating in the oceanographic mission MSM132, which aims to study how underwater volcanoes function and what triggers their activity.
This region has a long history of seismic events and volcanic eruptions, making it a critical area for study. Since January 27, earthquakes have been recorded northeast of Santorini, near Kolumbo.
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While increased seismic activity can sometimes signal an impending eruption, past events, such as the 2011-2012 crisis, demonstrated that extended periods of ground shaking do not always lead to an eruption.
“The research mission was scheduled to take place, however the scientists who work in the area are present and constantly analyse the data resulting from the seismic activity in order to inform the authorities and the residents,” Evi Nomikou told the state-run Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
Seismographs to be retrieved and analyzed
The newly deployed seismographs will remain in place for four days before being retrieved for analysis. Scientists will compare the findings with data from land-based monitoring stations to enhance earthquake predictions.
In addition, the data will be integrated with measurements from the SANTORY underwater observatory, which has been recording activity in the region since December 2022. The observatory’s digital platform provides real-time updates to both researchers and the public.
The NKUA-led research program concluded in November 2024, but securing further funding remains an issue. Nomikou has urged Greek authorities to continue supporting SANTORY, citing the importance of long-term monitoring for both scientific research and public safety.
“The need to monitor the underwater volcano by installing special instruments that measure the changes in the chemical composition of the gases and liquids released from the hydrothermal vents at a depth of 500 meters is imperative,” she said.
Despite financial uncertainty, scientists plan to repeat the survey as long as seismic activity persists. With ongoing efforts, they hope to deepen their understanding of Kolumbo’s behavior and improve the ability to detect early warning signs of underwater volcanic eruptions.
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