Volcanoes serve as natural geological laboratories, providing scientists from various disciplines, as well as young researchers and students, the chance to observe active endogenous processes up close. They can explore the different volcanic formations that compose its geological history and listen to the Earth's dynamic processes. 

The island of Nisyros, an aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp), located in the southeastern part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc in the Aegean Sea, features sites of exceptional geological significance, including hydrothermal craters and volcanic domes. These features highlight the region's active volcanic history, as an ideal model for similar volcanic regions worldwide. To raise awareness about geological diversity, potential volcanic hazards, and climate change, a series of interactive courses, including hands-on workshops and educational lectures, will be held during this 5-day CIVIS project on Nisyros Island, Greece. 

To ensure a cohesive learning experience, the program has been carefully designed around an integrative framework that connects geology, volcanology, climatology, oceanography and human geography. A central focus on the interplay between Earth's dynamic systems and their influence on society will guide all teaching activities, facilitating interdisciplinary learning and cross-sectoral dialogue. This approach will enable students to see the interconnectedness of geological phenomena, climatic challenges, and societal adaptation strategies. 

The South Aegean Volcanic Arc shaped by numerous volcanic eruptions over the past 5 million years, has left significant imprints on both terrestrial and marine environments, providing a dramatic backdrop for this learning experience. Nisyros, one of the youngest active volcanic structures in Greece, boasts spectacular geological formations that showcase the volcano's evolutionary stages. Notable geomorphological landmarks include the iconic collapse caldera and hydrothermal craters. Currently, volcanic activity is dormant, but the area exhibits high geological activity and a significant hydrothermal system, evidenced by gaseous emissions from fumaroles at temperatures of 96–100°C and several hot springs ranging from 30 to 60°C.

Regarding climate change, Greece, as part of the eastern Mediterranean, is not exempt from the global climatic impacts. Notably, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are warming almost twice as fast as the global average and other inhabited regions, making this area a significant climate change hotspot.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) are rapidly increasing, exceeding the average levels of the European Union and significantly contributing to climate change. This has led to noticeable changes n the hydrological cycle, resulting in extreme weather events with potentially disruptive social impacts, such as more severe and prolonged heatwaves, droughts, dust storms, and sudden heavy rain events causing flash floods. Additionally, water scarcity, a common issue in remote areas of Greece, is prevalent in Nisyros as well, further deteriorating the quality of life for residents. 

To ensure integration across the program, the summer school is structured around interconnected modules delivered by leading experts from five European universities. Each module will explore a specific aspect of Nisyros’s environmental and societal challenges, with cross-cutting sessions bringing together diverse perspectives. For example, workshops on volcanic formations will include discussions on their climatic implications and how these relate to water scarcity and resources management. Students will also participate in joint reflection sessions to synthesize insights from the different disciplines, fostering a comprehensive understanding of Earth's dynamic systems and their impacts.

Why is Nisyros ideal for this course?

Concerning the climate change aspect, being at the same time a part of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the broader area of Greece should not be excluded from the potential climate impacts that affect our planet globally. Taking into consideration the fact that the Eastern Mediterranean along with the Middle East is warming almost two times faster than the global average and other inhabited parts of the world, it is suitably considered as a prominent climate change hotspot. Nisyros’ active hydrothermal field is the ideal natural laboratory to study the impact of gaseous emissions from fumaroles to climate.

During the hands-on course of the physical component, which will take place between 20-24 October 2025, on the Nisyros island, students will participate in fieldwork observations and measurement, analysis and representation of geological/geomorphological and climatic data.

The scientific equipment and instruments are provided by the NKUA and the University Sapienza of Rome :

• Remote Operated vehicle (ROV) represents a state-of-art technology able to image the submarine environment, collect key HD videos and static images to create an underwater photomosaic. The operational depth reaches 200m. Using portable instruments, continuous seawater measurements will be available. Students will be trained in submarine data acquisition, modeling and interpretation.
• Marine Drone CK-14 equipped with the Teledyne T20 multibeam, able to collect backscatter in the water column, which can be useful for detecting flares associated with fluid seepage, and lidar system.
• Drone surveys will also be conducted for geomorphological mapping so as to identify the different volcanic structures and create a high-resolution topographic model Nisyros.
• Parrot Thermal Drone with thermal camera will be used to depict the thermal conditions in Nisyros.
• Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meter: In situ 5 min measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and global solar irradiance will be carried out by a mobile weather station (Kestrel) in "Mandraki" and in the craters in order to assess the biometeorological conditions.
• PurpleAir: In situ real-time measurements of air quality (PM2.5 concentrations).
• T-sensors will obtain high temperatures of the active fumaroles within the craters. Students will analyze the timeseries creating a T-distribution map.

Full-time lectures will be given between 7-17 October 2025 by high-skilled professionals of the four participating universities.

Students will gain he necessary geological and geomorphological knowledge regarding tectonics, volcanism and geoheritage, as well as the atmospheric parameters that contribute and influence the climate. The programme includes a 9-day online course of 6 hours/ day: 

Day 1 - 7 October 2025:

• Geology and Volcanotectonics of Nisyros Volcano (Onshore-offshore Observations)
• Debris avalanches, caldera collapses and hydrothermal activities in Italian insular volcanoes

Day 2 - 8 October 2025:

• Methods for exploring seafloor - Μultibeam and backscatter acquisition and processing
• Unravelling hazards at poorly known volcanoes

Day 3 - 9 October 2025:

• Physical oceanography and coastal morphology of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin
• Regional Tephrostratigraphic framework: applications and challenges

Day 4 - 10 October 2025:

• Seismo-acoustic monitoring of volcanoes
• The future of the Earth's climate

Day 5 - 13 October 2025:

• Climate change, land degradation and desertification
• Climate hazards, impacts and risks of the Anthropocene

Day 6 - 14 October 2025:

• Natural risks, hazards and vulnerability in the Aegean: a diachronic geoarchaeological perspective
• Impacts of climate change and natural geohazards in coastal and underwater cultural heritage

Day 7 - 15 October 2025:

• Visualization through interactive maps
• Disseminate scientific data using GIS applications

Day 8 - 16 October 2025: Students presentations

Day 9 - 17 October 2025: Students presentations