AI Reveals Massive Magma Movement Beneath the Aegean Sea

In early 2025, over 28,000 earthquakes recorded near Greece’s Santorini island were linked to a massive magma movement beneath the Aegean Sea. A study led by Germany’s Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and GEOMAR Ocean Research Centre, published in Nature, used AI-driven data analysis and seafloor sensors to map the seismic crisis in detail.

Approximately 300 million cubic meters of magma rose from deep within the Earth’s crust, reaching within 4 kilometers of the seafloor. This process fractured surrounding rocks, triggering thousands of earthquakes, some exceeding magnitude 5.

The study also revealed a previously unknown hydraulic connection between Santorini and the nearby Kolumbo underwater volcano. Magma movement caused a small uplift in Santorini, followed by subsidence, indicating a complex interaction between the two volcanic systems.

GFZ developed a specialized AI method to process vast seismic datasets, while GEOMAR deployed seafloor sensors around Kolumbo’s crater, recording both seismic signals and a 30-centimeter subsidence. This allowed precise tracking of the magma’s timing, direction, and speed.

Researchers emphasized that such detailed data will improve monitoring of future volcanic activity in the region. Prof. Heidrun Kopp from GEOMAR stated, “These findings have been regularly shared with Greek authorities to ensure rapid and accurate assessments in case of new earthquakes.”

Prof. Paraskevi Nomikou from the University of Athens added, “Understanding processes in such a geologically active area is vital for public safety.”

Scientific observations around Santorini and Kolumbo continue, with experts highlighting the critical role of such studies in early detection of potential volcanic hazards.