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This Blended Intensive Programme is a highly innovative educational module addressing a growing demand for skilled professionals, especially in geology, morphotectonics, chemistry, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, geoheritage with the ability to employ cutting-edge techniques for data analysis, interpretation, and modelling, as well as an aptitude to disseminate scientific findings in a way that accommodates the needs of a wide spectrum of audiences. On the preparatory stage, students will familiarize themselves with the key themes and methods of the field through 6 six-hour intensive online lectures held by different CIVIS partners, by a very motivated team of experts.

The summer school will take place in Fira in Santorini (Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, Greece), with intense volcanic activity and participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Participate on field observations of the volcanic geomorphological features and tectonic structures
  • Entail an overview of the state-of-the-art sampling techniques and highly sensitive analytical techniques in mercury speciation.
  • Use Remote Operated vehicle (ROV) for seafloor exploration.

Why is Santorini Caldera ideal?

- Santorini, in the center of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (Aegean Sea), epitomizes an active natural laboratory. Its volcanic history, accentuated by the iconic caldera, offers an immersive experience to understand the intricate layers of Earth's evolution. The project's focus is to uncover Santorini's diverse volcanic products and their role in shaping its captivating geological narrative. This unique initiative blends volcanism with an exploration of geomorphology, geochemistry, chemistry, biology, geoheritage crafting a transformative learning experience.

During the module, the students will engage in direct field observations of volcanic phenomena and tectonic assessments. They will also practice in portable instruments for continuous seawater measurements, while ultra clean sampling techniques will be key to obtain correct chemical analysis. Beyond that, the students will receive knowledge about the need of the marine technology in seafloor exploration as ROVs represent a state-of-art technology able to directly image the submarine environment. HD underwater videos and static images will be collected to create an ad-hoc toolkit for virtual reality exploration in the underwater environment. In parallel, at the end of the course, it is planned to clean the coastal area with the aim of practical relevance to protect natural marine assets.

The Blended Intensive Programme "Delve into Santorini's geological marvels and volcanic risks" is offered to students on Degree/Master's/PhD level from equivalent fields. The materials and experience gained from the programme evaluate the sustainability and continuity of the course in the following years among the same partners.

The physical mobility part will be running from 3 to 7 February 2025 in Fira, Santorini, Cyclades in the South Aegean Sea, Greece.

In the 5 days course, the hands-on programme splits in two main sections:

1) Field work techniques, that include:

  • Determination of the morphotectonic features associated with volcanic eruptions/field observations of intense volcanic activity.
  • ROV: Optical imaging, seafloor exploration, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation.
  • Reconstructing eruptive parameters from field observations of pyroclastic deposits and Hazards.
  • Biological Relative Sea Level Indicators along rocky shores.
  • Measurements of physicochemical parameters in aquatic samples (temperature, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH etc.).
  • Basic principles of sampling (devices, cleaning procedures, sterilization, packing, safety, contamination risk etc.).

2) Analytical Techniques that include:

  • Determination of Total Hg and DGM via cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CVAFS; BROOKS Rand Model 3).The remainder of the DGM-purged sampled will be acidified for MMHg analysis. THg will be measured via CVAFS.
  • Determination of MeHg and MMHg.MeHg and MMHg will be analyzed via species specific isotope dilution gas chromatography sector field ICP-MS(online demonstration).
  • To investigate bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of Hg species along the local marine food web, we will demonstrate sampling of suspended particles, phytoplankton, zooplankton and local benthic biota. Particulate Hg on filters, plankton, and sediments will be analyzed via CVAAS.

The virtual component of the course will be running from 20 to 31 January 2025. 

Full-time lectures will be given by high-skilled professionals of the Universities of National and Kapodistrian of Athens (Greece), Aix-Marseille Université (France), Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) and Stockholm University (Sweden). Students will gain comprehensive insights into the island's tectonic processes, both offshore and onshore, alongside a global perspective on active volcanic system dynamics, as well as, the sources of mercury pollution and its biogeochemical cycle in the marine environment. The programme includes a 10-day online course of 6 hours/day and merged as follows:

Day 1:

  • Geology and Volcanotectonics of Santorini Volcano
  • Marine Geohazards and mitigation actions
  • IODP–Expedition 398 “Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field”

Day 2:

  • Reconstructing the evolution and eruption histories of caldera volcanoes
  • Hazards at poorly known volcanoes
  • Modern monitoring of volcanoes

Day 3:

  • Group Presentations

Day 4:

  • Methods of trace metals analysis
  • Hg analysis and speciation in hydrothermal vents

Day 5:

  • Mercury bioaccumulation/Couplings to other biogeochemical cycles
  • Dimethylmercury in Hg’s biogeochemical cycle

Day 6:

  • Group Presentations

Day 7:

  • The modem Fe-rich coastal embayments and hydrothermal vents Santorini
  • Relative sea level changes-volcanic and crustal mobility
  • Neo-catastrophism and geoarchaeology of coastal vulnerability

Day 8:

  • Neotectonics in shaping Mediterranean archaeological landscapes
  • Impacts of geohazards and climate change at underwater and coastal archaeological sites
  • Archaeology in the Aegean Sea: indicators of relative sea-level change

Day 9:

  • Visualization through interactive maps
  • Disseminate scientific data using GIS applications
  • VR tools for Geosciences

Day 10:

  • Individual Presentations/test
 Embark on an epic journey to uncover the secrets of Santorini's famed caldera, both above and below the waves, and arm yourself with vital insights into potential volcanic geohazards.