Thera eruption even bigger than once thought
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Posted by Robin Fowler Aug 29, 2006 |
New research and evidence conducted under the sea gives insight into the enormous blast that forever changed the geography of the Aegean Sea over 3,500 years ago, and likely ended the reign of the Minoan civilization.
By examining volcanic deposits on the sea floor, scientists have now determined that as much as 60 cubic km of magma shot out of the crater, throwing ash into the water, and causing devastating tsunamis.
The island of Thera, thought to be the lost civilization of Atlantis by some, would have been devastated, as well as other settlements in the region. The atmospheric fallout from the eruption would have been global.