Two prominent and similar pumice series were described on Thera in 1879— the Upper and Lower Pumice Series (UPS and LPS). Since then, geologists have treated the two series separately because they seemingly occurred ...Two prominent and similar pumice series were described on Thera in 1879— the Upper and Lower Pumice Series (UPS and LPS). Since then, geologists have treated the two series separately because they seemingly occurred at distinct levels and had different ages. Here we show that these two pumice series are identical;there is no LPS on Santorini. All stratigraphic conclusions based on the LPS from Santorini should therefore be discarded. The water-filled Santorini caldera with its steep inner slopes existed before the eruption. Volcano-tectonic effects in connection with caldera formation created concentric terraces that were mantled by the products of the Late Bronze Age (LBA) eruption. Subsequent erosion only left remnants of the mantle behind. Topographic effects followed by slumping during sedimentation caused confusion of the stratigraphy on the caldera wall. Our results are supported by geological, paleontological and archaeological evidence. Furthermore, the caldera with its minerals, pigments, harbours and hot springs was accessible for the Thereans. This reinterpretation opens new perspectives for archaeological research. The catastrophic LBA eruption (previously called the Minoan eruption) destroyed a flourishing culture on Santorini and impacted neighbouring cultures around 1613 BC.展开更多
It is generally accepted that the vent of the 3.6 ka Minoan eruption was situated in the water-filled Santorini caldera prior to the Minoan eruption. One should therefore expect to find huge quantities of pumice and a...It is generally accepted that the vent of the 3.6 ka Minoan eruption was situated in the water-filled Santorini caldera prior to the Minoan eruption. One should therefore expect to find huge quantities of pumice and ash on the inner side of the caldera walls, but there is only a relatively small amount preserved. An unexpected discovery of remnants of a synchronous pumice mantle of the Minoan eruption appears to solve this enigma. A lengthy period of erosion and the intensive quarrying of pumice for the construction of the Suez Canal (1859 to 1869) led to the removal of an enormous amount of material and information for generations of geologists. The synchronous pumice mantle covered the whole caldera wall from rim to sea level. Archaeological finds under the pumice mantle show that the caldera wall was accessible and inhabited in the Bronze Age. Furthermore, this discovery documents that only one Minoan eruption took place and that the so-called “Lower pumice” does not exist on Santorini.展开更多
文摘Two prominent and similar pumice series were described on Thera in 1879— the Upper and Lower Pumice Series (UPS and LPS). Since then, geologists have treated the two series separately because they seemingly occurred at distinct levels and had different ages. Here we show that these two pumice series are identical;there is no LPS on Santorini. All stratigraphic conclusions based on the LPS from Santorini should therefore be discarded. The water-filled Santorini caldera with its steep inner slopes existed before the eruption. Volcano-tectonic effects in connection with caldera formation created concentric terraces that were mantled by the products of the Late Bronze Age (LBA) eruption. Subsequent erosion only left remnants of the mantle behind. Topographic effects followed by slumping during sedimentation caused confusion of the stratigraphy on the caldera wall. Our results are supported by geological, paleontological and archaeological evidence. Furthermore, the caldera with its minerals, pigments, harbours and hot springs was accessible for the Thereans. This reinterpretation opens new perspectives for archaeological research. The catastrophic LBA eruption (previously called the Minoan eruption) destroyed a flourishing culture on Santorini and impacted neighbouring cultures around 1613 BC.
文摘It is generally accepted that the vent of the 3.6 ka Minoan eruption was situated in the water-filled Santorini caldera prior to the Minoan eruption. One should therefore expect to find huge quantities of pumice and ash on the inner side of the caldera walls, but there is only a relatively small amount preserved. An unexpected discovery of remnants of a synchronous pumice mantle of the Minoan eruption appears to solve this enigma. A lengthy period of erosion and the intensive quarrying of pumice for the construction of the Suez Canal (1859 to 1869) led to the removal of an enormous amount of material and information for generations of geologists. The synchronous pumice mantle covered the whole caldera wall from rim to sea level. Archaeological finds under the pumice mantle show that the caldera wall was accessible and inhabited in the Bronze Age. Furthermore, this discovery documents that only one Minoan eruption took place and that the so-called “Lower pumice” does not exist on Santorini.
