Volcano Thera

By: Boon Palipatana&

Kiren MacLeodhttp://www.immersionlearning.org/photos/albums/userpics/10002/Thera_satellite_labeled_NASA_etc.jpg

InformationHeight/ Summit Elevation: 367 meters or 1204 ftGeographic Location: Santorini, Greece-36.404 N, 25.396EVolcano Type: Shield VolcanoesVolcano Status: HistoricalLast known eruption: 1950Nearest Major City: Thera• Municipal Population: 12,440• Community Population: 2,291

http://www.minoanatlantis.com/pix/White_Island_Marine_Volcano.jpg

More InformationThe Thera eruption was also known as the Santorini. Thera was a catastrophic volcanic eruption that devestated Minoan settlements in the island of Thera. Some scientists believe Thera was the single-most powerful explosion ever witnessed, saying that it would have a 4-5 times stronger explosion than Krakatoa. It also is believed that Thera is as powerful as several hundred atomic bombs exploding in a fraction of a second. This incredible explosion took place from 1645 BC to 1500 BC. This explosion caused 40 feet tall tsunamis, and volcano ash covered the island.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guano/472552606/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Before and After

Before AfterGone

http://www.minoanatlantis.com/pix/Santorini_Landsat.jpg

http://www.minoanatlantis.com/pix/Santorini_Paleo_Models_Druitt91.jpg

How was Thera formed?

Thera was formed by the conversion (convergent boundary) of the African plate and Aegean Sea Plate. Many volcanic islands were formed called island arcs. Santorini/Thera was one of those islands that was formed.

http://www.santorini-eruption.org.uk/

Fun Facts• Thera’s blast could be heard from 3,000 miles away.• After Thera’s blast, there was a drop in global temperatures

and there were strangely-colored sunsets for 3 years.• Soon after Thera’s eruption, Minoan civilization declined

rapidly, with years of cold, wet summers in the whole region, which ruined harvests.

• The blast could be equal to hundreds of atomic bombs exploding.

• It is believed that most of the island’s Minoan residents predicted the volcano and evacuated in time.

• Many people think that Thera’s blast is related to the disappearance of the lost city of Atlantis.

• About 40,000 people were killed.http://www.minoanatlantis.com/pix/Pyroclastic_Surge_Montserat_1996.jpg