Seismic imaging of the submarine Kolumbo Volcanic Chain reveals its volcano-tectonic evolution and link to Santorini

Abstract

Located in the southern Aegean Sea, the Christiana-Santorini-Kolumbo volcanic field is one of the most hazardous volcanic regions in the world and lies in an active continental rift zone. Northeast of Santorini lies the Kolumbo Volcanic Chain (KVC), which comprises more than 20 submarine volcanic cones, with the Kolumbo volcano representing the most prominent edifice of this chain. However, due to their inaccessibility, little is known about the spatio-temporal evolution and tectonic control of these submarine volcanoes and their link to the volcanic plumbing system of Santorini. We will present multichannel reflection seismic data that allow us to image the internal architecture of the KVC and study its link to Santorini. Using a seismostratigraphic framework, we are able to show the KVC evolved during two episodes, which initiated at approx. 1 Ma with the formation of mainly effusive volcanic edifices along a NE-SW trending zone. Most of the cones of the second episode represent submarine pumice cones that were formed by submarine explosive eruptions between 0.7 and 0.3 Ma and partly developed on top of volcanic edifices from the first episode. Our data show that two prominent normal faults underlie the KVC, indicating a direct link between tectonics and volcanism. In addition, we are able to reveal several buried volcanic centers and a distinct volcanic ridge connecting the KVC with Santorini, suggesting a connection between the two volcanic centers in the past. We argue that this connection was interrupted by a major tectonic event and, as a result, the two volcanic systems now have separate, largely independent plumbing systems despite their proximity.