Volcanoes and Society

The Minoan Eruption of Thera, Greece:
Geology and Archaeology in the Field

Union College Miniterm Abroad
Taught by geology professors Joan M. Ramage and George H. Shaw

First offered: June 16-July 5, 2001

We had a great crew -- See some pictures from the field

application instructions, 2001

This course closely examines the volcanic eruption of Thera, an active volcano in the Aegean Sea, that buried the thriving Bronze Age port city of Akrotiri about 3500 years ago.

The eruption modified the ancient island of Thera drastically, leaving a spectacular water-filled crater (caldera - see picture at right).

You get a chance to combine Archaeology, Ancient History, Active Volcanoes, Stratigraphy, Natural Hazards (ancient and modern) with field work in one of the most spectacular settings on Earth.

This is your opportunity to learn about a major geological event that influenced civilization from both scientific and human perspectives.

When:	June 2001 -- research trip to the Island of Thera (Santorini), Greece right after graduation. Required reading and seminars during spring term.
Instructors:	Professors Joan Ramage and George Shaw, Geology Department
Prerequisites:	One geology course (GEO 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and permission of the instructors. You do NOT have to be a geology major to take this course.
Cost:	Tuition for one miniterm abroad ($2700)


Wall painting from Akrotiri (from Doumas, 1992).	Field Research will involve detailed study of the eruption deposits that buried the ancient landscape.

All rights reserved. No part of the document can be copied and/or redistributed, electronically or otherwise, without written permission from the Geology Department, Union College, Schenectady NY, 12308-2311, USA.

First posted: Geology Department, November 2000

Last Revised: Geology Department, August 2001

Funded, in part, by the National Science Foundation

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