James Stewart

This explosion could have even contributed to the downfall of the Minoan civilisation that was based on Crete, and might have inspired the myth of Atlantis. Volcanic activity has continued at Santorini since then, although no eruption has come close to the violence of that Bronze Age cataclysm.

This explosion could have even contributed to the downfall of the Minoan civilisation that was based on Crete, and might have inspired the myth of Atlantis. Volcanic activity has continued at Santorini since then, although no eruption has come close to the violence of that Bronze Age cataclysm.

Scientists continue to monitor the region for signs of unrest, and although the question is when rather than if the volcano will erupt, again there are no indications that a big one is imminent. So how worried should we be about such an eruption in our lifetimes? Well, one day Santorini or the flagrion fields or Yellowstone or Taupo or one of the other supervolcano candidates will blow.

Scientists continue to monitor the region for signs of unrest, and although the question is when rather than if the volcano will erupt, again there are no indications that a big one is imminent. So how worried should we be about such an eruption in our lifetimes? Well, one day Santorini or the flagrion fields or Yellowstone or Taupo or one of the other supervolcano candidates will blow.

Scientists continue to monitor the region for signs of unrest, and although the question is when rather than if the volcano will erupt, again there are no indications that a big one is imminent. So how worried should we be about such an eruption in our lifetimes? Well, one day Santorini or the flagrion fields or Yellowstone or Taupo or one of the other supervolcano candidates will blow.

And blow big. That's a certainty. But it's one of those high impact, low probability hazards, like a large asteroid striking the Earth. Although the chances of it happening are low in any given year, it will happen. And when it does, the consequences will be severe. In the case of Santorini, the alarm bells are already ringing, after the picturesque island was evacuated in February 2025.

And blow big. That's a certainty. But it's one of those high impact, low probability hazards, like a large asteroid striking the Earth. Although the chances of it happening are low in any given year, it will happen. And when it does, the consequences will be severe. In the case of Santorini, the alarm bells are already ringing, after the picturesque island was evacuated in February 2025.

And blow big. That's a certainty. But it's one of those high impact, low probability hazards, like a large asteroid striking the Earth. Although the chances of it happening are low in any given year, it will happen. And when it does, the consequences will be severe. In the case of Santorini, the alarm bells are already ringing, after the picturesque island was evacuated in February 2025.

According to officials, on Wednesday 5th February 2025, more than 11,000 people left Santorini, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 people leaving by air, after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the island, the strongest of which was a magnitude 5 tremor.

According to officials, on Wednesday 5th February 2025, more than 11,000 people left Santorini, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 people leaving by air, after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the island, the strongest of which was a magnitude 5 tremor.

According to officials, on Wednesday 5th February 2025, more than 11,000 people left Santorini, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 people leaving by air, after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the island, the strongest of which was a magnitude 5 tremor.

The incident has led to a rapid scientific response, with scientists now investigating for the first time how dangerous the next big one could be. As recently as April 2025, British royal research ship The Discovery, led by Professor Isabel Yeo and her team of 22 scientists, are on a mission to understand what type of seismic unrest could indicate a volcanic eruption is imminent.

The incident has led to a rapid scientific response, with scientists now investigating for the first time how dangerous the next big one could be. As recently as April 2025, British royal research ship The Discovery, led by Professor Isabel Yeo and her team of 22 scientists, are on a mission to understand what type of seismic unrest could indicate a volcanic eruption is imminent.

The incident has led to a rapid scientific response, with scientists now investigating for the first time how dangerous the next big one could be. As recently as April 2025, British royal research ship The Discovery, led by Professor Isabel Yeo and her team of 22 scientists, are on a mission to understand what type of seismic unrest could indicate a volcanic eruption is imminent.

At the time of recording this video, the team are still on board the vessel, undertaking research in 12-hour shifts as part of their month-long assignment. Hidden amongst the idyllic Greek isles, some 300 metres below the discovery, are bubbling hot vents.

At the time of recording this video, the team are still on board the vessel, undertaking research in 12-hour shifts as part of their month-long assignment. Hidden amongst the idyllic Greek isles, some 300 metres below the discovery, are bubbling hot vents.

At the time of recording this video, the team are still on board the vessel, undertaking research in 12-hour shifts as part of their month-long assignment. Hidden amongst the idyllic Greek isles, some 300 metres below the discovery, are bubbling hot vents.

These cracks in the earth turn the sea floor into a bright orange world of protruding rocks and gas clouds, hydrothermal vents where hot water pours out from the cracks. Off the side of the research boat, a robot descends to the seabed to collect fluids, gases and snap off chunks of rock in order to try and map the hydrothermal system.

These cracks in the earth turn the sea floor into a bright orange world of protruding rocks and gas clouds, hydrothermal vents where hot water pours out from the cracks. Off the side of the research boat, a robot descends to the seabed to collect fluids, gases and snap off chunks of rock in order to try and map the hydrothermal system.

These cracks in the earth turn the sea floor into a bright orange world of protruding rocks and gas clouds, hydrothermal vents where hot water pours out from the cracks. Off the side of the research boat, a robot descends to the seabed to collect fluids, gases and snap off chunks of rock in order to try and map the hydrothermal system.