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Heraklion, Crete, June 12-17, 2022 Hybrid Format 

Pre-Conference Field Trip COV 11

Methana volcanic peninsula

2 DAYS


Field Leaders



Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos

NKUA, Athens, Greece

ckiriako@geol.uoa.gr


Christos Evangelidis

NOA, Athens, Greece

cevan@gein.noa.gr



Date
10-11 June 2022

Duration
2 days


Number of participants
from 35 to 40

Cost
170 euros



Methana is a volcanic peninsula of ~42km2 located in the Saronic Gulf, 40 km SW of Athens, near three other volcanoes: an underwater volcanic field (Pausanias volcano), and the older Aegina and Poros. It is a composite andesite-dacite volcano that has developed numerous monogenetic vents. 

Methana peninsula with eruption centers, view from north-west.

Thermal baths and yacht harbor Methana

The peninsula is located in the area of the Saronic Gulf, which is characterized by E-W normal faults and by NE-SW strike-slip faults and cross-cut by a myriad of smaller faults. The vents have usually developed along these tectonic lines. 

According to scientists, at least 14 distinct eruptions can be identified, mostly effusive. Explosive activity is rare and emplaced at least 3 distinct pumice deposits. The erupted volumes are moderate, generally <0.9 km3. 

The volcanic stratigraphy of Methana has been documented on the “Geological Map 1:25000 of Methana” (Dietrich et al. 1996) and revised by Pe-Piper and Piper (2013). 

The ages of the volcanic activity are poorly constrained. For simplicity, the eruptions can be separated in 4 phases and numbered from I to XIV, after the model of Popa et al. (in press): 

Events I and II: the so-called “volcanic socle”, dated at 3.5 ± 0.9 Ma, covers the Mesozoic basement and Lower Pliocene marine marls (nannoplankton NN15 ∼ 4.2 Ma). It is marked by an explosive eruption and by a series of domes and lava flows extruded all over the peninsula. Events III – XI (with random dates between 1.4±0.3 and 0.6 ± 0.2 Ma): marked by two explosive eruptions (VI and VIII) and by a series of lava flows and domes. Limited hydrothermal activity is associated with this stage of volcanic activity. Events XII-XIII with ages of 0.34 and 0.29 Ma: lava flows and domes extruded from vents developed on N-S (XII) and E-W (XIII) directions. The eruptions are probably closely related to tectonic activity and the development of faults/fractures. Event XIV: the youngest eruption, the Mavri Petra lava flow complex, which has erupted in historical times ~ 250 BP in the NW corner of the peninsula. 

Mavri Petra flows (~ 250 BP) in the NW corner of the peninsula

An extensive geochemical survey on the fluids released by the volcanic/geothermal system of Methana was undertaken. Characterization of the gases was made on the basis of the chemical and isotopic (He and C) analysis. CO2 soil gas concentration and fluxes were measured on the whole peninsula at more than 100 sampling sites. 

Today, Methana is well situated for family, religious and health tourism. It is ideal for hiking trips in beautiful paths between the hills, interesting for the unique flora and fauna and offers plenty of Byzantine churches and small chapels. It is a traditional site for hot baths and health spas.

Program

Friday, 10 June 2022

08:30
Meeting at the pick-up place in Athens
09:00Departure from Athens to Methana by bus 
12:30Sightseeing tour and ascension to the "Kameni Chora" Volcano. Along the way we will be constantly updated about petrological and volcanic formations.
14:30–15:00
Return to the hotel
15:30–18:30
Free time to explore Methana
19:00Dinner

Saturday, 11 June 2022

9.00-12.00
Volcanic update visit to various points (thermal springs)
12:00Lunch 
13:30Departure from Methana to Piraeus Port

Participation fee includes:

Transfer by bus from Athens – Methana, Methana – Piraeus Port

Any transfer required by bus in Methana


Meals: 1 lunch box & 1 dinner , 1 lunch 

Sharing twin room with breakfast in Methana 1night stay

Participation fee does not include:

Accommodation city taxes per room per night

Hotel Pick up for departure in Athens

WiFi on coach

Meals not mentioned in the program

Drinks and beverages not mentioned in the program


Porterage Service

Gratuities (Tips, are optional)

Personal expenses

Travel Insurance

Nisyros Field Trip

4 DAYS


Field Leader



Loyc Vanderkluysen

Associate Professor
Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science
Drexel University

Samuel Mitchell

Facilities Technician
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol

Date
8-11 June 2022

Duration
4 days

Number of participants
from 25 to 30

Cost
430 euros



The island of Nisyros is located at the easternmost end of the Quaternary South Aegean Volcanic Arc as part of the Kos-Nisyros-Yali Volcanic Field, from where 160,000 years ago the largest eruption in the eastern Mediterranean (the silicic Kos Plateau Tuff) devastated the entire Dodecanese islands. Nisyros volcano is almost circular, with an average diameter of 8 km, and covers an area of ~ 42 km2.

It lies above a basement of Mesozoic limestone and a thinned crust of the Alpine orogen, with a mantle-crust transition at ~ 27 km depth. The volcanic edifice of Nisyros comprises a succession of calc-alkaline lavas and pyroclastic rocks, with a summit caldera of an average diameter of 4 km. Although the last magmatic volcanic activity on Nisyros dates back at least 18,000 years, the present geodynamic activity encompasses high seismic unrest and widespread fumarolic activity with surface temperatures of ~ 100°C and 350°C at a depth of 1’500m. Violent earthquakes and steam blasts accompanied the most recent hydrothermal eruptions in 1871–1873 and 1887 and left large hydrothermal explosion craters behind. Mud and hydrothermal vapor rich in CO2 and H2S were emitted from fracture zones which cut the caldera and extend towards the NNW through the vicinity of the village of Mandraki, into the island of Yali, and even towards Kos. In 1996 and 1997 seismic activity started with earthquakes of magnitudes up to 5.5 and with hypocenters down to 10 km depth around inferred magna reservoirs between 5 -12 km. The discharge of all hydrothermal craters in the caldera releases 68 tons of hydrothermal-volcanic derived CO2 and around 42 MW of thermal energy per day.

Nisyros Island has a long-standing colorful history since it is found at the crossroads between occidental and oriental cultures. Cycladic and Minoan relicts are spotted in the wild mountainous scenery of post-caldera domes, whereas witnesses from the Hellenistic epoch, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman times are represented in ancient caverns and spas, magnificent castles, churches and monasteries.

The Yali volcanic island with eruptive ages between approx. 40,000 and 20,000 years exhibits parts of a submerged caldera, dissected by a post-caldera N-S fault Yali is located north of the island of Nisyros, with max. length of 5km, max. widths of 1.5km and a max. altitude of 165m is by Two large pumice successions built up the southwestern part of the island, whereas the north-eastern part comprises obsidian-perlitic lava domes and flows covered by pumice deposits. Since 1952 pumice and perlite are quarried on the uninhabited volcanic island

Program

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

19:00
Afternoon arrival at Mandraki port
Evening walk to NW Cape Monastery Spiliani, sunset on pillow lava
Welcome aperitif and instructions

Thursday, 9 June 2022

9.00
Departure from Mandraki port; bus to view point Ag. Profitis Elias
Nikia(Volcanological museum), Caldera and Stefanos crater (short walks, lunch in the field), south rim M. Stavros, return to Mandraki; evening bus to Emborio (north rim), dinner at taverna, late return to Mandraki

Friday, 10 June 2022

09:00Departure from Mandraki port; bus and short walks, volcanology north and east coast (dome collaps): Mandraki - Pali yacht harbor, Cape Katsouni pumice - Afionas tuff cone (lunch in the field), return to Mandraki; afternoon visit to Paleokastro and Museum Mandraki; dinner at Mandraki

Saturday, 11 June 2022

9.00
Departure from Mandraki port; boat trip around Nisyros Island (lunch on board), Yali Island, visit of pumice and perlite quarries, late afternoon return to Mandraki; dinner at Mandraki

  Sunday, 12 June 2022  

09:00Departure of participants

Participation fee includes:

Sharing twin room with breakfast in Nisyros 4 nights stay

Bus Transfers needed (9 June 2022, 10 June 2022)

Boat trip around Nisiros (11 June 2022)

Meals: Welcome Aperitif (8 June 2022), Lunch box & Dinner at Emporion (9 June 2022), Lunch at Afionas & Dinner at Mandraki (9 June 2022), Light lunch on board & Dinner at Marndraki (11 June 2022)

Excursion Guide Booklet

Participation fee does not include:

Accommodation city taxes per room per night

WiFi on coach

Meals not mentioned in the program

Drinks and beverages not mentioned in the program


Porterage Service

Gratuities (Tips, are optional)

Personal expenses

Travel Insurance