Hellenic Volcanic Arc Research Articles

Microbial community differentiation between active and inactive sulfide chimneys of the Kolumbo submarine volcano, Hellenic Volcanic Arc.

Over the last decades, there has been growing interest about the ecological role of hydrothermal sulfide chimneys, their microbial diversity and associated biotechnological potential. Here, we performed dual-index Illumina sequencing of bacterial and archaeal communities on active and inactive sulfide chimneys collected from the Kolumbo hydrothermal field, situated on a geodynamic convergent setting. A total of 15,701 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were assigned to 56 bacterial and 3 archaeal phyla, 133 bacterial and 16 archaeal classes. Active chimney communities were dominated by OTUs related to thermophilic members of Epsilonproteobacteria, Aquificae and Deltaproteobacteria. Inactive chimney communities were dominated by an OTU closely related to the archaeon Nitrosopumilus sp., and by members of Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes and Bacteroidetes. These lineages are closely related to phylotypes typically involved in iron, sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen and methane cycling. Overall, the inactive sulfide chimneys presented highly diverse and uniform microbial communities, in contrast to the active chimney communities, which were dominated by chemolithoautotrophic and thermophilic lineages. This study represents one of the most comprehensive investigations of microbial diversity in submarine chimneys and elucidates how the dissipation of hydrothermal activity affects the structure of microbial consortia in these extreme ecological niches.

ASSESSMENT ON HYDROTHERMAL PARTICLE CHEMISTRY FROM A SHALLOW VENTING SYSTEM OFFSHORE KOS, AEGEAN SEA

Shallow submarine hydrothermal vents along Hellenic Volcanic Arc transfer significant quantities of particles enriched in basic metals. Fluids collected by scuba diving from two shallow hydrothermal venting areas on Kos Island in the Aegean Sea in East Mediterranean. Samples were filtrated and membrane filters leached with a mixture of acids. Chemical analysis performed in suspended particles for Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ca, Ba, Sr, Li, Al and Si. The suspended particulate matter (SPM) flux varied from 0.93 to 8.64 mg/l and between 0.21 and 20.94 mg/l in two sites. Metal/Al ratios also vary significantly within a short distance. The pH of hydrothermal waters was from 5.50 to 5.95 in Kephalos Bay and from 6.09 to 6.53 in Bros Thermi suggesting gases CO2 and H2S may control pH values. Particles were dominated by Fe, Ca, Si and Al and strongly enriched in Mn, Cu, Pb and Ba. Three geochemical groups were identified being associated with distinct hydrothermal processes concerning sulphide minerals, carbonate substrate and deeper Al-Silicate rock basement

Geochemistry of coastal sands of Eastern Mediterranean: The case of Nisyros volcanic materials

Coastal sand samples collected from the northern part of Nisyros volcanic island (Dodecanese, Greece) were investigated for first time for their potential in strategic metals and compared with parental rocks of the island which are Quaternary volcanics with alternating lava flows, pyroclastic layers and lava domes and relevant materials located near granitoids of Northern Greece. The PXRD and SEM-EDS study of the sands revealed enhanced content of feldspars, Fe-Mn oxides, magnetite, tourmaline, pyroxenes, ilmenites, along with zircons, apatite and sulfide inclusions. The fresh hydrothermally deposited clayely material collected from the Nisyros caldera crater had a rather different mineralogical composition from the coastal one (alunite, anhydrite, opal-CT, quartz, kaolinite). UCC-normalized spidergrams indicated that the weathering processes contributed to accumulation of heavy minerals (mainly ilmenite), and strategic metals including V (1920mg/kg) and Nb (245mg/kg), in the coastal sand. The low REE concentration (ΣREE+Y=240mg/kg) could be attributed to the absence of REE-rich minerals. Moreover, the sands exhibit different geochemical patterns compared to the volcanic source rocks of the island, which are especially enriched in Large-Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE) and depleted in High Field Strength Elements (HFSE), such as Nb and Ta. On the other hand, the caldera material is enriched in volatile components, sulfur, chalcophile elements (Se, Bi, Hg, As, Pb) and Ba. Micro-XRF analyses of representative crystals showed that the high Nb content of the sands was associated with the Ti/Fe-rich phases (e.g. ilmenites). The geochemical composition of N Greece sands showed, because of their origin, enrichment not only in HFSE but also in REE.The study of the coastal heavy mineral sands originating from different geological environments of Greece provides information about the association of their mineral components with REE, other elements of economic interest (e.g. Co, Nb, Ta) and natural actinides. In addition, the study of the black sands of Nisyros island could be considered as a characteristic example of those from other parts of Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA) and other relevant Mediterranean regions.

Backarc tectonism, volcanism, and mass wasting shape seafloor morphology in the Santorini-Christiana-Amorgos region of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc

In subduction zone backarcs, extensional deformation and arc volcanism interact and these processes, together with mass wasting, shape the seafloor morphology. We present a new bathymetric map of the Santorini-Christiana-Amorgos backarc region of the Hellenic subduction zone by merging high-resolution multibeam swath data from the R/V Langseth PROTEUS seismic experiment with existing maps. The map together with Knudsen subbottom echosounding profiles reveal that recent tectonism, volcanism, and mass wasting are more prevalent in the Santorini-Amorgos region on the east side of Santorini than in the Christiana Basin on the west side. In the Santorini-Amorgos region, large normal faults form the Anydros and Anafi Basins. Where normal fault segments overlap, two nearby accommodation zones generate a relay ramp and the adjoining Anydros synclinal horst with associated complex faulting and elevated seismicity. The ongoing normal faulting in the Santorini-Amorgos region is accompanied by potentially tsunamigenic submarine landsliding; we identified a large submarine landslide along the Santorini-Amorgos Fault and a smaller landslide with an overlying debris chute along the Amorgos Fault. Volcanic activity is also focused in this eastern region along the Kolumbo lineament within the Anydros Basin. Within the Christiana Basin we discovered the Proteus Knoll and adjacent buried edifice. We suggest that this is an older volcanic edifice formed along the Hellenic Volcanic Arc between Santorini and Milos. Around Santorini itself, features formed during, and immediately after, the Late Bronze Age eruption dominate the seafloor morphology such as the northern strait and wrinkled seafloor pyroclastic flow deposits. This topography is continually reshaped at a smaller scale by ongoing mass wasting. We infer that the earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami activity of the Santorini-Amorgos region is a consequence of focused northwest-southeast extension as the southeastern Aegean moves away from the Attico-Cycladic complex in response to slab breakup and rollback.

Strike slip tectonics and transtensional deformation in the Aegean region and the Hellenic arc: Preliminary results

Recently acquired offshore seismic and swath bathymetry data from the Hellenic Arc, the Ionian Sea and the South and North Aegean Sea, including the Hellenic Volcanic Arc and the Cyclades plateau, along with geological and tectonic data from Plio-Quaternary basins exposed on the Hellenic Arc indicate that strike slip tectonics has played a major role in the southwestward extension of the Aegean crustal block, the development of the offshore neotectonic basins and the spatial distribution of the volcanic activity along the Volcanic Arc. Transtensional deformation, accommodated by (sinistral or dextral) strike slip zones and related extensional structures, prevail throughout Plio-Quaternary, since the North Anatolian Fault broke westwards into the North Aegean. Incipient collision of the Hellenic Forearc south of Crete with the Libyan promontory and consequent lateral escape tectonics led to the segmentation of the Hellenic Arc in distinct blocks, which move southwestwards independently from each other and are bounded by strike slip faults.

CRUSTAL MOVEMENTS ALONG THE NW HELLENIC VOLCANIC ARC FROM DGPS MEASUREMENTS

The north-western part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc was studied by Differential GPS measurements in an attempt to investigate the regional deformation of the area. The GPS network involving stations in Athens, Aegina Island, Methana Peninsula and Soussaki was established in February 2006 and since then it was reoccupied twice. The GPS measurements were primarily referred to Worldfixed reference frame (ITRF2000) and then to Europe and Athens as well. The observed velocities for the overall three-year spanning period according to Athens station showed rates at the order of 7-10 mm/yr, while the directions of the displacements tend towards NNW to NNE. The results of the horizontal velocities with respect to Europe indicate rates of SW directions, exhibiting higher magnitudes (25-26±2mm/yr) in the western and southern part of the Saronikos Gulf than in its central part (20±7 mm/yr). The horizontal velocities with respect to ITRF2000 showed consistent SE directions with higher rates in Aegina (12±7 mm/yr) than in Soussaki and Methana (9±3 mm/yr). A kinematic interpretation based on velocity and strain rates is finally attempted on the basis of the regional tectonics in the Saronikos Gulf.

Kolumbo submarine volcano (Greece): An active window into the Aegean subduction system.

Submarine volcanism represents ~80% of the volcanic activity on Earth and is an important source of mantle-derived gases. These gases are of basic importance for the comprehension of mantle characteristics in areas where subaerial volcanism is missing or strongly modified by the presence of crustal/atmospheric components. Though, the study of submarine volcanism remains a challenge due to their hazardousness and sea-depth. Here, we report 3He/4He measurements in CO2–dominated gases discharged at 500 m below sea level from the high-temperature (~220 °C) hydrothermal system of the Kolumbo submarine volcano (Greece), located 7 km northeast off Santorini Island in the central part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). We highlight that the mantle below Kolumbo and Santorini has a 3He/4He signature of at least 7.0 Ra (being Ra the 3He/4He ratio of atmospheric He equal to 1.39×10−6), 3 Ra units higher than actually known for gases-rocks from Santorini. This ratio is also the highest measured across the HVA and is indicative of the direct degassing of a Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalts (MORB)-like mantle through lithospheric faults. We finally highlight that the degassing of high-temperature fluids with a MORB-like 3He/4He ratio corroborates a vigorous outgassing of mantle-derived volatiles with potential hazard at the Kolumbo submarine volcano.

Metagenomic investigation of the geologically unique Hellenic Volcanic Arc reveals a distinctive ecosystem with unexpected physiology.

Hydrothermal vents represent a deep, hot, aphotic biosphere where chemosynthetic primary producers, fuelled by chemicals from Earth's subsurface, form the basis of life. In this study, we examined microbial mats from two distinct volcanic sites within the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). The HVA is geologically and ecologically unique, with reported emissions of CO2 -saturated fluids at temperatures up to 220°C and a notable absence of macrofauna. Metagenomic data reveals highly complex prokaryotic communities composed of chemolithoautotrophs, some methanotrophs, and to our surprise, heterotrophs capable of anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Our data suggest that aromatic hydrocarbons may indeed be a significant source of carbon in these sites, and instigate additional research into the nature and origin of these compounds in the HVA. Novel physiology was assigned to several uncultured prokaryotic lineages; most notably, a SAR406 representative is attributed with a role in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation. This dataset, the largest to date from submarine volcanic ecosystems, constitutes a significant resource of novel genes and pathways with potential biotechnological applications.

Hydrothermal influence on nearshore sediments of Kos Island, Aegean Sea

The Kos-Nisyros volcanic centre is a long-active, Plio-Pleistocene magmatic system in the subduction zone along the easternmost edge of the active Hellenic volcanic arc in the Aegean Sea. Although today there are signs of relative quiescence in volcanic activity, active onshore fumaroles and shallow-sea hydrothermal vents persist on, amongst others, the island of Kos. The present study explores the large-scale imprint of hydrothermally sourced heavy metals and nutrients on the island’s coastal marine environment, based on geochemical data collected in September 2007 from hydrothermal waters and surficial nearshore sediments (<10 m water depth) at several vents in the Bros Thermi and Kephalos Bay hydrothermal fields. There were strong spatiotemporal fluctuations in gas and water flow rates at the vent sites—for example, the gas/water flux ratio varied by as much as two orders of magnitude (0.03–1.30) at Kephalos Bay vents over a 2-day measurement period on 15–16 September 2007. Confirming earlier work, hydrothermal waters had higher levels of F, Ca and Sr, and lower levels of Na, Mg and SO4 compared with ambient seawater. Moreover, there was novel evidence of strong, widespread Zn and also Mn enhancement. Cluster and factor analyses of surficial sediment data from the Bros Thermi vents (fine (mud) fractions, <63 μm, 6N HCl dissolution) revealed distinct groups of elements such as Cu+Pb+Zn and Mn+Mg. Spatial distribution maps showed similarities in the dispersion of Cu and Pb, and of Ca and Ba. The distribution of HCl-soluble material is the inverse mirror image of the distribution of the residual (silicate and Al-silicate) phase. These findings considerably expand on existing knowledge that the coastal zone of Kos is severely influenced by ongoing submarine hydrothermal activity, and confirm that shallow-water sediment Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb levels are substantially higher than those of other islands along the Hellenic volcanic arc, and even exceed those of some deep-water hydrothermal vents in other world regions. Evidently, there may be significant metallic sulphide deposits of hydrothermal origin at depth beneath Kos.

Partition geochemistry of hydrothermal precipitates from submarine hydrothermal fields in the Hellenic Volcanic Island Arc

The geochemical study of 5 sediment cores obtained from different shallow hydrothermal fields along the volcanic arc (Methana, Milos, Kos and Yali), revealed that the degree of rock hydrothermal alteration from one area to another is different and is influenced by the physical and geochemical properties of the hydrothermal venting fluids and the type of the rocks in the substrate. The submarine hydrothermal fields in the central Aegean Sea are linked with the Hellenic Volcanic Arc and imprint their hydrothermal influence on the local marine sediments. Hydrothermal venting fluids differ in pH, temperature, gas and metallic element content, intensity of gas and water flux, while rock substrate is variable in terms of thickness and chemistry of the marine sediments and the mineral deposits. The analytical results showed that the lowest values of Fe are observed in Palaeochori Bay (0.72%) and the highest values are found in Bros Thermi (2.72%). The highest Mn concentrations are found in Bros Thermi (407 ppm) and the lowest are found in Yali (29 ppm). Cu and Pb highest concentrations are found in Bros Thermi (21 ppm) and Thiafi Bay (16 ppm), and the lowest in Yali (1 ppm). Zn highest values are found in Bros Thermi (56 ppm) and the lowest values in Kephalos Bay (10 ppm). Finally, the Ca and Mg-richest layers are observed in Kephalos 7.5 and 0.98% respectively and the lowest are observed in Milos (0.01% for Ca) and Yali (0.12% for Mg). The hydrothermal activity presented variations with geological time and hydrothermal suspended particulate matter coming out from the vent outlets also influence the sediment geochemistry. As an example in Methana, high concentrations of Cu and Zn in SPM result in high levels of Cu and Zn in the sediments.

The January 2012 earthquake sequence in the Cretan Basin, south of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc: Focal mechanisms, rupture directivity and slip models

The January 2012 moderate-size (Mw5.3) sequence in Cretan Basin is studied, in an attempt to shed light to the deformation pattern along the central part of the southern Aegean Sea, south of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc. The two strongest events of the earthquake sequence, occurred on January 26 (UTC 04:24 Mw5.0) and on January 27 (UTC 01:33; Mw5.3), with epicenters lying 25km and 50km SW of the Christiani Isles and Santorini volcanic fields, respectively. Moment tensor inversions revealed the operation of pure strike–slip motions, along N–S and E–W trending vertical planes. The deviatoric moment tensor solutions, in a number of cases, involved more than 30% non-double couple component. The seismicity was confined in a vertical column of small (~5km) horizontal extent, whereas the best constrained depths were in the range of 5 to 14km. The good station coverage and the striking similarity of the waveforms permitted directivity effects to be resolved, from the shape and amplitude of the apparent Source Time Functions (STFs), obtained through an empirical Green's function approach. The rupture directivity towards south, resolved the N–S trending plane as the fault plane for both of the two strongest events. This sequence provided evidence that the WNW–ESE trench-parallel extension accommodated within the overriding Aegean plate, which so far was well documented in the western and eastern parts, it is also operating in the central part of the southern Aegean Sea. The slip models for the two strongest events were simple, single patched and the calculated static stress drop was of the order of 35 bars, in agreement with the average value in the back-arc Aegean Sea region.

Long-and Short-Term Deformation Monitoring of Santorini Volcano: Unrest Evidence by DInSAR Analysis

Santorini Volcano is an active strato volcano, located at the central part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, developing ad retro of the Hellenic Arc and Trench. The explosive history of the volcano dates back to 1645 BC with the Minoan eruption, while it is documented to have produced at least ten eruptions until 1950 AD. The most recent volcanic unrest began in early 2011. Multi-reference Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Interferometric techniques were applied to study the evolution of ground deformation during 1992-2011, with the use of ERS-1 and -2 and ENVISAT radar imagery. Datasets of common acquisition geometry were added into a single stack so as to obtain the linear deformation rates by means of phase averaging. However, to reveal the deformation history of the volcano, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) method was implemented. This allowed retrieving ground deformation time-series on a pixel basis over regions with high temporal coherence levels. Results from independent tracks, agreeing with each other, suggest a deformation rate of approximately 5 mm/yr of subsidence at the southern part of Nea Kammeni Volcano, for the period 1992-2010. For the unrest period of 2011, intense uplift of 4.8 cm was observed throughout Nea Kammeni. Global Positioning System (GPS) observations from a local geodetic network confirm the DInSAR findings.

Increased diversity of sessile epibenthos at subtidal hydrothermal vents: seven hypotheses based on observations at Milos Island, Aegean Sea

Research on subtidal hydrothermal vent ecosystems at Milos, Hellenic Volcanic Arc (Aegean Sea), suggested that vent activity increased the species richness of sessile epibenthic assemblages. Based on 303 species found in 6 sites (3 close to vents, 3 farther away), the present paper uses correspondence analysis and species/samples curves to examine the species composition and richness of these assemblages. Differences due to vent proximity were more important than those due to bottom depth and distance from the shore. Diversity was confirmed to be higher near the vents, although none of the 266 species found at the vent sites can be considered as obligate vent-associated species. Seven different, although not mutually exclusive, hypotheses are discussed to explain the pattern of increased epibenthic species diversity at the vent sites, namely: (i) vents represent an intermediate disturbance, inducing mortality by the emission of toxic fluids; (ii) higher winter temperature allows for the occurrence of warm-water species, which add to the regional background; (iii) venting disrupts the homogeneity of the water bottom layer, increasing bottom roughness and hence habitat heterogeneity; (iv) deposition of minerals and enhanced bioconstruction by Ca enrichment increment habitat provision; (v) fluid emission induces advective mechanisms that favour recruitment; (vi) vents emit CO2, nutrients and trace elements that enhance primary productivity; and (vii) bacterial chemosynthesis add to photosynthesis to provide a diversity of food sources for the fauna.

P and S velocity structures of the Santorini–Coloumbo volcanic system (Aegean Sea, Greece) obtained by non-linear inversion of travel times and its tectonic implications

One of the most prominent tectonic features of the Eastern Mediterranean region is the Hellenic volcanic arc in the Southern Aegean Sea, with the Santorini Island being one of the most active volcanic centers. Recent seismic studies show that the main seismic activity of the Santorini volcanic center is strongly associated with the volcanic processes, as well as with the seismo-tectonic regime of the broader Southern Aegean Sea area. The main cluster of local seismicity is located near the northeastern edge of the Santorini Island, beneath the Coloumbo Reef, which is a submarine volcanic seamount of the Santorini Island volcanic system. The P and S wave velocity structures of the Santorini–Coloumbo volcanic system is studied by inverting travel times of local earthquakes recorded by two independent dense seismic arrays installed in the broader area of Santorini islands during the period of September 2002–September 2005. In particular, 137 local earthquakes with 1600 P phases and 1521 S phases recorded by 25 seismological stations have been selected for the inversion. The inversion technique applied is non-linear, since three-dimensional ray tracing is incorporated. The reliability of the final tomographic results is demonstrated through resolutions tests using synthetic seismic data. The obtained results confirm the strong variations of the P and S wave velocity structures in the area of Santorini–Coloumbo volcanic system, as well as the connection between the tectonic setting of the study area with the magmatic processes taking place beneath the two volcanoes. The tomographic models show that a low-velocity zone extends along the northeastern edge of the Santorini Island, parallel to the “Kameni–Coloumbo” fracture zone (NE–SW direction), which corresponds to the western termination of the major ENE–WSW Santorini–Amorgos Fault Zone. Evidence is presented that this structural lineament corresponds to a tecto-volcanic fracture zone, which probably links the volcanic center of Santorini with the submarine volcano at Coloumbo Reef. Furthermore, the tomographic results show indications that the magmatic chamber beneath the Coloumbo volcanic seamount is located at a depth of 6–7 km in good agreement with recent independent studies in the area, though this feature is not within the resolving power of the employed data set.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics and genetic implications of Edipsos thermal springs, north Euboea, Greece

Abstract Edipsos area, situated in northern Euboea, has been well known since ancient times for the existence of thermal springs. In order to assess the hydrogeochemical conditions, thermal and cold water samples were collected and analyzed by ICP method for major and trace elements. The results revealed the direct impact of seawater, a process which is strongly related to the major tectonic structures of the area. Seawater impact was confirmed by the Cl/Br and Na/Cl ionic ratios, as well as from statistical processing and graphical interpretation of the analytical results, which classified the sampled waters into three groups (two for cold waters and one for the thermal ones). Trace element ranges for thermal waters are: As (44–84 ppb), Pb (23–154 ppb), Ag (1–2 ppb), Mn (31–680 ppb), Cu (61–97 ppb), Cs (66–244 ppb), Se (0–76 ppb), Li (732–3269 ppb), Fe (0–1126 ppb), Sr (14000–34100 ppb), B (4300–9600 ppb). Compared with the chemical composition of other thermal springs from the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, Edipsos thermal waters are enriched in Ca2+, Na+, Cl−, SO4 2−, Li, B and K+, reflecting the influence from seawater. Cold waters are free of heavy metals compared with other natural waters and are characterized by good quality based on the major element chemistry. Finally, several geothermometers were applied in order to assess the reservoir temperatures, but none of them appear to be applicable, mainly due to the impact of seawater on the initial hydrogeochemistry of the geothermal fluids.

Origin and distribution of the terrigenous component of the unconsolidated surface sediment of the Aegean floor: A synthesis

The Aegean Sea covers an area of some 160×10 3 km 2 and receives the water/sediment fluxes from a mountainous drainage basin of >200×10 3 km 2. On the basis of its morphodynamic characteristics, the Aegean Basin could be divided into: (1) the North Aegean Sea, an elongated region (trending between N50° and N70°) including the extensive northern shelves and the Deep Aegean Trough; (2) the Central Aegean, which includes: the Cyclades Plateau, a relatively shallow (average depth <350 m) submerged platform, surrounded by small basins (up to 1000 m depth), including also the relatively extended eastern shelf of Asia Minor, and (3) the Southern Aegean Sea, located southwards of the Hellenic volcanic arc, which presents the characteristics of a true back-arc basin (the Cretan Sea). The surficial unconsolidated sediments of the north Aegean floor are dominated by the terrigenous component (from 50% up to >90%) due to the large terrigenous riverine fluxes. The South Aegean presents high percentages (>50%) of biogenic material, due to the small terrigenous inputs and despite the fact that it is more oligotrophic than the North Aegean. The Central Aegean presents a transitional character with the terrigenous influxes being imported along its eastern part and quantitatively being in between those of the North and South Aegean Sea sub-regions. The coarse-grained materials in shallow (shelf) areas are attributed to ‘relict’ deposits, while those in large water depths are almost exclusively biogenic products. The offshore distribution of the fine-grained terrigenous material is dominated by the overall circulation pattern, while meso-scale eddies may, locally, either enhance (anticyclones) or reduce (cyclones) settling rates. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the predominant clay minerals (illite and smectite) and of kaolinite and chlorite is governed by the lithology and proximity to land source areas, the water circulation and the processes of differential settling and flocculation. Overall, the North Aegean is characterised by sedimentation processes similar to those of a ‘continental margin’, primarily neritic and secondarily hemipelagic, the Central Aegean region mostly by hemipelagic and the South Aegean, behaving more like an ‘oceanic margin’, mostly by pelagic processes.

Local seismic array observations at north Evoikos, central Greece, delineate crustal deformation between the North Aegean Trough and Corinthiakos Rift

In order to better constrain and define the microseismic activity at the north Evoikos Gulf and its surrounding area we deployed an onshore/offshore seismic array consisting of 31 three-component seismic digital stations. The array was active from 30 June to 24 October 2003, and covered an area of 2500 km 2. We located more than 2000 seismic events ranging from 0.7 to 4.5 M L by using six stations as a minimum in order to define the foci parameters. Recorded seismicity delineated three major zones of deformation: from south to north, the Eretria–Parnis–eastern Corinthiakos zone, the Psachna–Viotia zone, and the Northern Sporades–North Evia–Bralos zone. Alignments of the recorded seismicity follow the tectonic trends and their orientation in the above zones. The whole area accommodates the stress field between the North Aegean Trough and the Corinthiakos Gulf. Rate of deformation intensifies from north to south, as revealed also by historical and instrumental seismicity. The successive change of orientation between the two stress fields fragments the crust in relatively small units and the fault systems developed do not permit the generation of major earthquakes in the north Evoikos area and its immediate vicinity. This is also supported by the instrumental seismicity of the last century. Larger events reported in historical times are probably overestimated. Most seismic activity is crustal. Subcrustal events were recorded mainly below the Lichades area and are interpreted as the consequence of the subduction of the Ionian oceanic lithosphere below the Hellenides. The Lichades volcano is the most northern end of the Hellenic volcanic arc. At present the highest seismic activity is associated with the Psachna region of north Evia that has been continuously active since 2001. Considering, however, the development of the seismic activity during the last decade, there has been a sequence of large events, i.e., Parnis in 1999, Skyros in 2001 and Psachna in 2001–2003. This demonstrates the fact that the tectonic deformation in all this area is intense and important for the accommodation of the stress field of the North Aegean Trough to that of the Corinthiakos Rift.

Microseismic activity in the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, Greece, with emphasis on the seismotectonic setting of the Santorini–Amorgos zone

The volcanic arc of the Hellenic subduction zone with its four volcanic centers is of major relevance when evaluating the seismovolcanic hazard for the Aegean region. We present results from a 22-station temporary seismic network (CYCNET) in the central Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). CYCNET recordings allow to analyze the level and spatio-temporal evolution of microseismic activity in this region for the first time. A total of 2175 events recorded between September 2002 and July 2004 are analyzed using statistical methods, cluster analysis and relative relocation techniques. We identify distinct regions with significantly varying spatio-temporal behavior of microseismicity. A large portion of the seismic activity within the upper crust is associated with the presence of islands representing horst structures that were generated during the major Oligocene extensional phase. In contrast, the central part of the Cyclades metamorphic core complex remains aseismic considering our magnitude threshold of 1.8 except one spot where events occur swarm-like and with highly similar waveforms. The highest activity in the study area was identified along the SW–NE striking Santorini–Amorgos zone. Within this zone the submarine Columbo volcano exhibits strong temporal variations of seismic activity on a high background level. This activity is interpreted to be directly linked to the magma reservoir and therein the migration of magma and fluids towards the surface. NE of Columbo where no volcanic activity has yet been reported we observe a similar seismicity pattern with small-scaled activity spots that might represent local pathways of upward migrating fluids or even developing volcanic activity within this zone of crustal weakness. In contrast, the Santorini and Milos volcanic complexes do not show significant temporal variations and low to moderate background activity, respectively. Relating our results to the distribution of historical earthquakes and the GPS-derived horizontal velocity field we conclude that the Santorini–Amorgos zone is presently in the state of right-lateral transtension reflecting a major structural boundary of the volcanic arc subdividing it into a seismically and volcanically quiet western and an active eastern part.

Submarine hydrothermal activity off Santorini and Milos in the Central Hellenic Volcanic Arc: A synthesis

Geochemical investigations carried out for a long period on Santorini and Milos submarine hydrothermal fields in the central Hellenic Volcanic Arc are reviewed. They showed significant spatial and time variability in their dissolved element concentration levels. In the Santorini hydrothermal field Fe, Mn and As are the most enriched elements both in the hydrothermal waters and associated sediments. Average Fe and Mn showed little systematic variation in the Santorini waters during the period 1982–97. Of the Milos hydrothermal waters the most Fe–Mn enriched were encountered near the Airport. Time series analysis for Fe and Mn at a very strong vent there showed the same semi-diurnal pattern for three consecutive days with strong element concentration variability. The results of monitoring this vent for ten years (1987–1997) showed significant increase of Mn from 1987 to 1994 and a decrease afterwards. Iron showed a similar variability. Sediment cores recovered from Palaea and Nea Kameni embayments of Santorini showed that the former consists mainly of pyrite, diatoms and amorphous iron hydroxides. In the later, amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides prevail with substantial amounts of Si, S and Na and minor amounts of Zn, P, As and organic C. Except for Sr, Ni, Pb, As and Bi all other elements determined showed statistically different mean concentrations in sediments between the two embayments. Both in Santorini and Milos sediment cores distinct Fe–Mn rich layers were located at depth suggesting pulses of hydrothermal activity in the recent past.

Ground deformation of Nisyros Volcano (Greece) for the period 1995–2002: Results from DInSAR and DGPS observations

Differential GPS (DGPS) and Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) analyses were applied to the Kos-Yali-Nisyros Volcanic Field (SE Hellenic Volcanic Arc) to quantify the ground deformation of Nisyros Volcano. After intense seismic activity in 1996, a GPS network was installed in June 1997 and re-occupied annually up to 2002. A general uplift ranging from 14 to 140 mm was determined at all stations of the network. The corresponding horizontal displacements ranged from 13 to 53 mm. The displacement vectors indicate that the island is undergoing extension towards the East, West and South. A two-source “Mogi” model combined with assumed motion along the Mandraki Fault was constructed to fit the observed deformation. The best-fit model assumes sources at a depth of 5500 m NW of the centre of the island and at 6500 m offshore ESE of Yali Island. DInSAR analysis using four pairs of images taken between May 1995 and September 2000 suggests that deformation was occurring during 1995 before the start of the seismic crisis. An amplitude of at least 56 mm along the slant range appeared for the period 1996 through 1999. This deformation is consistent with the two-source model invoked in DGPS modelling. Surface evidence of ground deformation is expressed in the contemporaneous reactivation of the Mandraki Fault. In addition, a 600 m long N-S trending irregular rupture in the caldera floor was formed between 2001 and 2002. This rupture is interpreted as the release of surface stress in the consolidated epiclastic and hydrothermal sediments of the caldera floor.