The caldera of Santorini and the petrified forest of Lesbos now officially occupy a place in the 100 UNESCO Geological Heritage Sites. A few hours ago they also have a certificate for their inclusion in the list of the top areas of geological interest worldwide.

The awarding of the certificates took place at the special conference for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the International Union of Geological Sciences in collaboration with UNESCO, in Zumaia – Basque Coast, an area that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Geopark -, in Spain.

Although dormant, Santorini is an active volcano. The last eruption occurred in 1950 and since then many submarine faults have been recorded.

Evi Nomikou, associate professor of Geological Oceanography and Physical Geography at the Department of Geology & Geoenvironment of EKPA and scientific associate of EL.KE.TH.E, who submitted the nomination file, speaking to ERT revealed that one of the largest underwater expeditions of the USA , will conduct drilling on the seabed of Santorini from December 2022 to February 2023. It will perform six drillings, which will provide evidence of the explosion, which changed the shape of the then known world.

The nomination file for the caldera was presented by Thiraia Associate Professor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Evi Nomikos, who in her post states the following:

It is my honor to present the “Santorini Caldera” in Zumaia as one of the first 100 Geological World Heritage Sites!! We did it!!..
Our caldera wrote History! Municipality of Thira – Santorini
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Artemia Argirou for the unique photos of the geological moments of our island!

“An IUGS geological heritage site is a key site with geological elements and/or processes of scientific international importance, used as a reference point and/or with a substantial contribution to the development of the geological sciences through history. Some of the oldest rocks on Earth from South Africa, traces of primitive life from Australia and China, some of the best dinosaur fossils from Canada, the first evidence of early human development from Tanzania, the marine rocks of the summit of of the world from Mount Everest and iconic locations such as the impressive Grand Canyon (USA), the Perito Moreno glacier (Argentina), the Santorini caldera (Greece) or Uluru in Australia are just a few examples of this impressive list.”

Source:� ERTnews