Cascading events during the 1650 tsunamigenic eruption of Kolumbo volcano

Jens Karstens (), Gareth J. Crutchley, Thor H. Hansteen, Jonas Preine, Steven Carey, Judith Elger, Michel Kühn, Paraskevi Nomikou, Florian Schmid, Giacomo Dalla Valle, Karim Kelfoun and Christian Berndt
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Jens Karstens: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Gareth J. Crutchley: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Thor H. Hansteen: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Jonas Preine: University of Hamburg, Institute of Geophysics
Steven Carey: University of Rhode Island
Judith Elger: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Michel Kühn: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Paraskevi Nomikou: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Florian Schmid: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Giacomo Dalla Valle: Institute of Marine Science ISMAR
Karim Kelfoun: Université Clermont Auvergne, OPGC, CNRS, IRD
Christian Berndt: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Volcanic eruptions can trigger tsunamis, which may cause significant damage to coastal communities and infrastructure. Tsunami generation during volcanic eruptions is complex and often due to a combination of processes. The 1650 eruption of the Kolumbo submarine volcano triggered a tsunami causing major destruction on surrounding islands in the Aegean Sea. However, the source mechanisms behind the tsunami have been disputed due to difficulties in sampling and imaging submarine volcanoes. Here we show, based on three-dimensional seismic data, that ~1.2 km³ of Kolumbo’s northwestern flank moved 500–1000 m downslope along a basal detachment surface. This movement is consistent with depressurization of the magma feeding system, causing a catastrophic explosion. Numerical tsunami simulations indicate that only the combination of flank movement followed by an explosive eruption can explain historical eyewitness accounts. This cascading sequence of natural hazards suggests that assessing submarine flank movements is critical for early warning of volcanogenic tsunamis.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42261-y

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