How did the earthquake on the island of Thera impact the Minoan civilization?

The Minoan eruption was a catastrophic volcanic eruption that devastated the Aegean island of Thera (also called Santorini) in around 1600 BCE. It destroyed the Minoan settlement at Akrotiri, as well as communities and agricultural areas on nearby islands and the coast of Crete with subsequent earthquakes and tsunamis.

What is the connection between the Minoan civilization and a volcanic eruption on Thera?

In 1939 the Greek archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos suggested that the eruption on Thera had led to the collapse of the Minoan civilization; his theory was widely accepted. During the 1980s, however, archaeologists found evidence that Minoan culture continued to flourish for some time after the eruption.

How was Thera affected by the volcanic eruption?

In 1646 BC a massive volcanic eruption, perhaps one of the largest ever witnessed by mankind, took place at Thera (present day Santorini), an island in the Aegean not far from Crete. Possibly as many as 20,000 people were killed as a result of the volcanic explosion.

What destroyed Minoan civilization?

The volcanic eruption in Thera, destroyed the Minoan settlement in Akrotiri, which had as a consequence the beginning of the end for the Minoan civilization.

What happened after Mount Thera erupted and caused much damage to Minoan civilization?

Based on the nearby island of Crete, the powerful Minoan civilization declined suddenly soon after Thera blew its top. Tsunamis spawned by the eruption would have swamped its naval fleet and coastal villages first off, historians think.

What were the long lasting environmental problems caused by this volcano on the island of Thera?

The ash reached the stratosphere and moved around the world where the associated gases and fine particulate matter impacted the atmosphere, soils, and waters. Ground-hugging, billowing gases moved along the water surface and destroyed all life downwind, probably killing those who attempted to flee from Thera.

When did Thera volcano last erupt?

What volcano destroyed the Minoans?

The enormous eruption of the submarine volcano at the Greek island of Thera (Santorini) during the Bronze Age, around 1500 BC, is such a natural hazard. The tsunami generated by the eruption, literally wiped out the peace-loving Minoan civilization who inhabited the island of Crete.

When did Thera erupt?

The Greek island of Santorini (named Thera in ancient times) is located in the Aegean Sea and experienced a massive volcanic eruption some 3,600 y ago (∼1600 BCE).

What did Thera trade?

Excavations of the town of Akrotiri on Thera uncovered a significant amount of Minoan pottery, along with local pottery in a Minoan style. Because of this, the Minoans traded these products for ore. While most of their copper came from Cyprus, it had to be alloyed with zinc or tin to produce the harder bronze.

Is Thera volcano still active?

Although dormant, Santorini is an active volcano. Numerous minor and medium-sized, mainly effusive, eruptions have built the dark-colored lava shields of Nea and Palea Kameni inside the caldera. Their last eruption was in 1950, and now only fumarolic activity, primarily inside the recently active craters, takes place.

What type of eruption was the Minoan eruption of Thera?

The Minoan eruption of Thera, also referred to as the Thera eruption, Santorini eruption, or the Late Bronze Age eruption, was a major catastrophic volcanic eruption with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or 7 and a dense-rock equivalent (DRE) of 60 km 3 (14 cu mi), Dated to the mid- second millennium BCE,…

What happened to the Minoans on Crete?

The eruption of Thera somewhere between 1650 and 1600 BCE began a series of severe environmental changes that abased Minoan stability on Crete and throughout the Aegean. The Minoans maintained their regional power for some time, but faced a steady, gradual decline as the Mycenaeans established their own trade network across the Aegean.

When did therthera last erupt?

Thera — today Santorini — erupted in 1,560 BC and destroyed Minoans on Crete The ancient civilisation of the Minoans was wiped out exactly 3,580 years ago, a new study has found. Data trapped in the growth rings of pine trees thousands of miles away in North America reveals the precise time the eruption occurred.

How did the eruption of Mount Etna affect Crete?

The eruption also generated 35 to 150 m (115 to 492 ft) high tsunamis that devastated the northern coastline of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) away. The tsunami affected coastal towns such as Amnisos, where building walls were knocked out of alignment.