Discovery "threatening catastrophe" at the bottom of the Mediterranean

 A group of researchers discovered a "magma chamber" under the Colombo volcano, which is active at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea near the Greek island of Santorini. The researchers pointed out that the discovery "constitutes a serious danger", as it could result in a severe volcanic eruption, and it may generate tsunamis in the near future.

Scientists used a new imaging technique for volcanoes that produces high-resolution images, according to a journal affiliated with the American Geophysical Union, which was reported by Fox News. The researchers recommend monitoring the risks near other active marine volcanoes to improve estimates of when an eruption is likely to occur.

"The current state of the chamber indicates that a future high-impact eruption is possible (although not imminent), so we propose the establishment of a permanent observatory that would include continuous monitoring of earthquakes and the seafloor," they wrote.

Statement by Kajetan Chrapkiewicz, a geophysicist at Imperial College London, lead author of the study

• We need better data about what's actually under these volcanoes.

• Continuous monitoring systems allow us to get a better estimate of when an eruption will occur.

• With these systems, we can potentially predict a volcanic eruption a few days in advance, when residents will be able to leave and be safe.

• The last eruption of the Colombo volcano occurred in 1650, during which 70 people were killed in Santorini.

Over the past few years, scientists have been working to create and develop the Santorini Seafloor Observatory, which will be able to measure the progress of the Colombo volcano's activity.