Santorini earthquakes mirror events described in Ottoman’s first geology book
The page from "Ilm-i Tabakatu'l Arz," known as the first geology book of the Ottoman era, depicting the eruption on the island near Rhodes, now called "Nisiros" but formerly known as "Incirli" Island. (AA Photo)
The recent Santorini earthquakes show striking similarities to geological events described in “Ilm-i Tabakatu’l Arz”, the Ottoman Empire’s first geology book, according to Mostafavi Maresht, a researcher from the department of geological engineering at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa.
Earthquake storms shake Santorini
Since Jan. 26, Santorini has been experiencing a “storm of earthquakes,” with more than 18,400 tremors recorded in seismically monitored regions. Among these, 1,300 quakes measured between 3.0 and 5.3 in magnitude, Maresht told Anadolu Agency (AA).
“The epicenter of this earthquake storm is a seismically active area measuring 30 kilometers in length and 20 kilometers in width, encompassing Santorini Island and the Kolumbo submarine volcano,” Maresht explained.
Drawing a parallel to the saying “history repeats itself,” Maresht emphasized that geological events, much like historical incidents, tend to reoccur. He noted that over a century ago, Santorini also experienced similar tectonic movements.
Insights from ‘Ilm-i Tabakatu’l Arz’
Maresht highlighted that the Ottoman-era book “Ilm-i Tabakatu’l Arz” documented these events, describing how underwater volcanic activities in the region historically led to the formation of new islands.
The book’s 80th page elaborates on the volcanic nature of the Mediterranean basin (then known as Behri-sefid), mentioning significant volcanoes like Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli, and Santorini.
Similarities with past volcanic events
According to Maresht, the 83rd page of the book describes Santorini as an underwater volcano, where eruptions cause molten lava to surface, crystallize, and form new islands.
The book also recounts a volcanic eruption on Mount Etna in 1886, stating that “lava from the cone reached miles away.”
Nisiros Island and Volcanic history
Maresht pointed out that the book also refers to an explosion near the island of Rhodes, at what is now called Nisiros (formerly Incirli Island). He emphasized that Nisiros remains aligned with Santorini on the same volcanic arc.
“The events of that time align closely with today’s occurrences,” Maresht said, noting that a volcanic eruption on Incirli Island in 1873 led to significant destruction.
The book describes how in 1886, the island experienced underground rumblings, and a cone released ash and hot water without a significant eruption.
Santorini earthquakes and concerns over submarine volcano
Maresht also stressed that while the focus is on seismic data, predicting a volcanic eruption requires additional measurements and evaluations. He highlighted the worrisome overlap between Santorini earthquakes epicenters and the magma chambers beneath the island’s Kolumbo submarine volcano.
“Similar volcanic activity was observed in Santorini in 2011, which eventually subsided over time,” he added.
History of Nisyros island
Nisyros, known as Poryphyris in ancient times, has a rich history shaped by volcanic eruptions. According to Greek mythology, Poseidon threw a part of Kos at the giant Polyvotis, creating the island. The island’s early inhabitants were the Kares, followed by the Achaeans and Rhodians. Nisyros participated in the Trojan War and was part of the Athenian alliance. Worshipped gods included Poseidon, Apollo, Zeus, and Hermes. The island thrived during the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. and was later ruled by Rhodes.
In 1315 A.D., the Knights of Saint John fortified the island, and in 1422, a volcanic eruption formed the island’s large crater. After several Turkish raids, Nisyros fell under Ottoman rule in 1523. The locals supported the Greek Revolt in 1821, but Nisyros joined Greece only in 1948 after periods of Italian rule.
