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Narrator:
The island of santorini
In the mediterranean sea.
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Today, a peaceful paradise.
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But buried deep
Within these colored cliffs
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Are the ruins of akrotiri,
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An ancient city
With a dark past.
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A mysterious civilization
Wiped out by a volcanic eruption
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100 times
More powerful than pompei.
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Goodman: that natural disaster
Changed the course of history.
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It was truly a massive,
Catastrophic event.
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Narrator:
Today, investigators use
Innovative underwater robots
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And pioneering techniques
To discover the true extent
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Of this earth-shattering
Eruption.
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Papanikolaou: I don't think that
There's any other explosion
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In recent history that comes
Close to the santorini eruption.
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Narrator: for over 3,000 years,
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This eruption has inspired myths
Of the ancient mediterranean.
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Most of the people believe
The lost a atlantis city
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Was here --
Was in santorini.
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Narrator:
But what is the truth behind
The most destructive eruption
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In recorded history?
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To find out, we'll unearth
The lost city of akrotiri...
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...Reconstruct magnificent
Homes...
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...And dive deep
Beneath this mysterious island.
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We'll unearth the fate
Of this lost civilization,
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And reveal the secrets of
Santorini's deadly mega volcano.
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--captions by vitac--
Www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
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Santorini is a greek island
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Located 140 miles
Southeast of athens
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In the mediterranean sea.
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A mysterious
Ancient civilization
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Living here thousands of years
Ago vanishes without a trace.
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Papanikolaou: thousands of years
Ago in santorini,
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A highly developed civilization
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And culture disappeared
Suddenly in the area.
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Narrator: today, this idyllic
Paradise
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Is famous
For its towering cliffs,
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Colored beaches,
And deep blue waters,
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But hidden away
At santorini's southern tip
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Are clues
To its mysterious past.
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Buried 200 feet
Beneath the ground,
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Archeologists uncover akrotiri,
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An ancient city
Over 3,000 years old.
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In its prime,
Its narrow streets
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Are intricately paved
With stone.
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Its town square is lined
With picturesque houses
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That tower three
And four stories high.
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An array of colorful stones
Decorate the facades.
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What is this
Thriving civilization?
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And what happens to its people?
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♪♪
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Geologist dimitrios papanikolaou
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Investigates akrotiri's
Ancient past.
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The ruins suggests a highly
Sophisticated civilization
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Flourishes here for thousands
Of years before its abrupt end.
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Papanikolaou: it predates
Parthenon and the acropolis,
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Considered all over
The world as a symbol
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Of a high level of culture.
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Here, this is 1,000 years
Before that.
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Narrator:
Dimitrios examines the city's
Ancient stone buildings.
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He discovers many of the rocks
Used to construct
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The upper floors
Are volcanic in origin.
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The upper part contains
A lot of volcanic rocks,
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Either tufts or some louvers.
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Narrator:
Dimitrios explores further
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And discovers
More volcanic rock,
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But this volcanic rock
Is completely different.
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It's not used as
A building material,
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But is dumped unceremoniously.
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Here we have some huge boulders
Of pure lava
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And they are found here --
This one,
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The other one also very big,
Another one a little smaller.
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Narrator:
The unusual rock provides clues
To a major catastrophe
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That annihilates this city.
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The evidence suggests
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A massive volcanic
Eruption buries akrotiri.
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But there's no obvious
Volcanic mountain on santorini
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Or in the surrounding sea.
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So where is the volcano?
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To find clues,
Dimitrios explores the islands
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At the heart
Of santorini's archipelago.
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Santorini is a group
Of five islands --
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Santorini,
Therasia, and aspronisi,
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Form its outer ring.
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The islands of nea kameni,
And palaia kameni
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Lie at its center.
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Here, the water is tinted
In shades of rusty red.
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And patches of colored rocks
Pepper the dark landscape.
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Papanikolaou:
Looking at the landscape,
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We see that there are some
Contrasting points -- areas --
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Small areas where the color
Is whitest.
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Well, these are locations
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Where gases are coming out
From the interior.
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Narrator:
The colored rocks suggest
The ground here releases
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Clouds of toxic gas.
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Exploring further, dimitrios
Confirms his suspicion.
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At the island's summit,
He finds gas
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Escaping through cracks
In the earth's surface.
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It's clear evidence
Of volcanic activity.
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I would say that I'm standing
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Really in
The heart of the volcano here.
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Narrator:
The escaping gases hint
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At what lurks
Beneath the island's surface --
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A thick layer of fragmented rock
Stretches 2 miles underground.
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Beneath it lies
A spongy layer of crystals
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And glowing hot
Semi-molten rock...
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...All concealing
A huge cavern below...
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...Bursting with up to
1.5 trillion gallons
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Of molten magma hotter than
1,800 degrees fahrenheit.
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Is this huge
Bubbling chamber of magma
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Key to understanding
The island's past?
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The whole island is the result
Of volcanic activity.
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The type of rocks,
The thermal springs,
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The vegetation, the atmosphere,
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The fumaroles,
Everything around here
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Is the result
Of active volcanism.
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Narrator:
Santorini is a volcanic caldera,
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A huge depression that forms
After a volcano erupts.
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Stretching seven miles across
And covering an area
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Over 30 square miles,
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It's the largest active caldera
In the world.
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Its immense size hints
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At the enormity
Of the ancient eruption.
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This shows really
The energy release
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And the magnitude
Of the explosion.
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Narrator:
The eruption creates a huge
20-mile high cloud.
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That blasts ash
As far as egypt
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Over 200 miles away.
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Ancient writers describe
How the ash cloud
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00:08:17,034 --> 00:08:19,793
Plunges the world
Into darkness --
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Veiling the sun and causing a
Global winter
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For over two years.
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A blanket of ash up to 200-feet
Thick covers the entire island.
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♪♪
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As the empty volcano
Collapses into the water,
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It changes the shape
Of the island forever.
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Like the roman ruins at pompei,
The ancient remains of akrotiri
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Are preserved
By hot volcanic ash.
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A frozen snapshot of akrotiri's
Last moments.
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00:09:03,655 --> 00:09:06,068
But there's
An unsettling mystery...
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All over the excavated area,
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There are no bodies found, in
Contrast to pompei, for example.
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There you have plenty of bodies
Buried below the ashes.
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Here there's nothing left.
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Narrator:
What happens to the people?
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How does an entire civilization
Mysteriously vanish?
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At akrotiri, evidence of
Man-made destruction
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Provides
Tantalizing clues.
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♪♪
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Narrator:
Santorini's mega eruption is
The most catastrophic volcanic
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Explosion in recorded history.
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I don't think that is any other
Explosion in recent history
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That comes close
To the santorini eruption.
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Narrator: it varies the ancient
City of akrotiri
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In lava and ash
Up to 200-feet thick,
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100 times deeper than pompeii.
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But unlike that infamous
Eruption, at akrotiri,
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Not a single body
Has ever been recovered.
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Papanikolaou: this is one of the
Big differences.
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There have been no bodies
Found anywhere.
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Narrator:
Dimitrios believes a clue
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To the fate of the people
Lies inside the city.
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Hidden amongst the debris
Of the ruins,
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Investigators unearth
A strange heavy stone
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Weighing over 30 pounds.
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Archeologists believe
The grooves once hold ropes so
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It can be used
Like a wrecking ball.
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And in a nearby house,
Two pots of plaster
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And a pot of dried paint
Lie strewn on the floor --
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A decoration job
Hastily abandoned.
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Are these home repair
And demolition tools,
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Clues to what happens
To the lost people of akrotiri?
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Today, akrotiri's empty
Streets remain eerily
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Filled with rubble
And rows of destroyed buildings.
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Papanikolaou:
The present day ruins show
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It was destroyed several times
And was rebuilt.
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Narrator:
For dimitrios, the multiple
Repairs hold clues
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To the fate
Of the people of akrotiri.
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Papanikolaou: we can see
In lower parts,
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The construction is made of
Large blocks.
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Then you have new construction
On top of the early ones
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Where you have very small
Blocks.
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Narrator:
Different styles of construction
Suggests
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That people desperately tried
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To repair their homes
After a major disaster.
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Papanikolaou:
They were trying to repair
Rapidly the city.
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This is illustrated
All over the settlement here.
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Narrator: but what is the cause
Of all these emergency repairs?
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Dimitrios examines
The northern part of the city
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00:12:18,551 --> 00:12:20,482
And finds a major clue.
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He discovers a solid stone
Staircase
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Split straight down the middle.
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00:12:30,965 --> 00:12:35,034
It's a pattern of destruction
He knows well.
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This destruction you can observe
In many places in greece
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Due to earthquakes.
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Narrator:
The broken staircase is proof
That a major earthquake
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00:12:44,758 --> 00:12:49,793
Also devastates akrotiri
Before the eruption.
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00:12:49,827 --> 00:12:51,931
The earthquake may have warned
The people
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Of impending disaster.
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♪♪
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But dimitrios believes
That further warning signals
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Hit the city
Before the eruption begins.
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00:13:07,344 --> 00:13:10,137
He hunts for evidence
Along the coastline.
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An open quarry provides him
With a timeline of the events
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00:13:16,241 --> 00:13:17,724
Leading up to the eruption
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00:13:17,758 --> 00:13:21,586
And a clue
To the fate of the people.
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00:13:21,620 --> 00:13:23,172
Papanikolaou:
This is different layers.
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00:13:23,206 --> 00:13:26,241
Each one meaning
A different period
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00:13:26,275 --> 00:13:28,586
With different characteristics.
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Narrator:
The separate layers show
The material deposited
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During different phases
Of the volcanic eruption.
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00:13:35,965 --> 00:13:38,482
The lower the layer,
The older the event.
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00:13:38,517 --> 00:13:45,275
♪♪
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00:13:45,310 --> 00:13:48,103
Dimitrios examines
The first layer for clues
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00:13:48,137 --> 00:13:52,103
To akrotiri's destruction.
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00:13:52,137 --> 00:13:54,000
Papanikolaou:
The deposition of this layer
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00:13:54,034 --> 00:13:57,413
Means the city
Does not exist as a city.
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00:13:57,448 --> 00:14:03,344
It is buried below this layer
Of several meters thick.
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00:14:03,379 --> 00:14:05,862
Narrator: on close inspection
At the very base,
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00:14:05,896 --> 00:14:09,241
Dimitrios discovers
A thin layer of ash.
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00:14:09,275 --> 00:14:12,068
Papanikolaou:
See this yellowish material.
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00:14:12,103 --> 00:14:14,000
This is a distinctive,
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00:14:14,034 --> 00:14:18,068
Very tiny, thin layer,
A few centimeters thick,
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00:14:18,103 --> 00:14:24,482
Which is the result
Of the first explosion.
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00:14:24,517 --> 00:14:28,103
Narrator:
The thin layer of ash suggests
The volcano's first eruption
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Is a minor explosion.
227
00:14:30,620 --> 00:14:33,448
Papanikolaou:
This tiny first layer shows
The first explosion,
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00:14:33,482 --> 00:14:35,655
Which is not a devastating one,
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00:14:35,689 --> 00:14:40,172
And this made the warning
To people to flee out.
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00:14:42,862 --> 00:14:46,586
Narrator:
The first small eruption spews
Thin, light ash
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00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:48,689
Across the whole of akrotiri.
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00:14:52,931 --> 00:14:56,000
The ash and tremors
From the volcano's forewarnings
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00:14:56,034 --> 00:15:00,586
Damaged local houses, which
Are painstakingly repaired.
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00:15:03,689 --> 00:15:06,137
But the tremors continue
Over the months
235
00:15:06,172 --> 00:15:10,551
And cause more and more damage
To the city's buildings.
236
00:15:10,586 --> 00:15:14,931
As the warning signs increase in
Their frequency and intensity,
237
00:15:14,965 --> 00:15:16,931
The people pack up
Their valuables
238
00:15:16,965 --> 00:15:20,793
And evacuate the island
To escape the erupting volcano.
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00:15:25,517 --> 00:15:27,758
Papanikolaou:
They took whatever they could
Just carry
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00:15:27,793 --> 00:15:32,310
And they went away hoping
That they might come back.
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00:15:35,517 --> 00:15:38,896
Narrator:
Dimitrios believes the people
Escape across the mediterranean
242
00:15:38,931 --> 00:15:43,413
Following the volcano's
Warning signs.
243
00:15:43,448 --> 00:15:45,620
The mega eruption
Instantly wipes out
244
00:15:45,655 --> 00:15:49,379
All life left on the island.
245
00:15:49,413 --> 00:15:53,413
But its effects
Are even further reaching.
246
00:15:53,448 --> 00:15:57,000
A discovery 850 miles away
In egypt
247
00:15:57,034 --> 00:16:01,724
Provides evidence
Of its shocking power.
248
00:16:01,758 --> 00:16:04,310
How does this event become
The most powerful
249
00:16:04,344 --> 00:16:08,034
And violent eruption
Ever witnessed by humankind?
250
00:16:17,068 --> 00:16:20,517
Narrator:
Santorini's mega volcano is the
Most powerful eruption
251
00:16:20,551 --> 00:16:23,862
In written history.
252
00:16:23,896 --> 00:16:28,137
All life on the island
Is destroyed in an instant.
253
00:16:28,172 --> 00:16:30,551
Papanikolaou: the island changed
Its morphology
254
00:16:30,586 --> 00:16:32,172
And everything was changed here.
255
00:16:32,206 --> 00:16:35,206
Everything was destroyed
By a major explosion.
256
00:16:38,275 --> 00:16:42,379
Narrator:
A discovery 850 miles across
The mediterranean sea
257
00:16:42,413 --> 00:16:46,310
In egypt provides evidence
Of its immense power.
258
00:16:50,620 --> 00:16:53,724
In karnak, archeologists
Discover fragments
259
00:16:53,758 --> 00:16:58,965
Of a stone slab that dates back
To the 16th century b.C.
260
00:17:02,413 --> 00:17:05,379
Known as the
Tempest stele of ahmose,
261
00:17:05,413 --> 00:17:09,103
It's the world's oldest
Weather report.
262
00:17:09,137 --> 00:17:12,586
It describes a huge storm
That ravages egypt
263
00:17:12,620 --> 00:17:15,137
Where the sky is hit
By a tempest of rain
264
00:17:15,172 --> 00:17:17,310
Causing intense darkness.
265
00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,000
Experts believe this could be
Proof
266
00:17:22,034 --> 00:17:26,758
Of the far-reaching effects
Of the santorini eruption.
267
00:17:26,793 --> 00:17:28,862
What makes this eruption
More powerful
268
00:17:28,896 --> 00:17:31,000
Than any other
In human history?
269
00:17:31,034 --> 00:17:39,137
♪♪
270
00:17:39,172 --> 00:17:41,379
Ingo sonder is a volcanologist
271
00:17:41,413 --> 00:17:44,137
At the university at buffalo,
New york.
272
00:17:46,172 --> 00:17:50,034
He investigates
The volcanic process.
273
00:17:50,068 --> 00:17:51,827
I am fascinated by this process.
274
00:17:51,862 --> 00:17:58,034
I'm fascinated by molten rock,
And what we can do with it.
275
00:17:58,068 --> 00:18:01,448
Narrator:
During santorini's eruption,
Seawater infiltrates
276
00:18:01,482 --> 00:18:06,206
The volcano's magmatic
Chamber deep underground.
277
00:18:06,241 --> 00:18:09,137
When the magma rises
In the underground chamber,
278
00:18:09,172 --> 00:18:11,344
It cracks the surrounding rock,
279
00:18:11,379 --> 00:18:14,172
Causing long fractures
That reach the sea.
280
00:18:17,862 --> 00:18:21,344
The cracks act like vacuums
And suck the seawater
281
00:18:21,379 --> 00:18:23,206
Down into the chamber
282
00:18:23,241 --> 00:18:27,275
So the cold water hits the
Scorching 1,800-degree magma.
283
00:18:29,379 --> 00:18:31,413
Ingo believes
This process of water
284
00:18:31,448 --> 00:18:35,586
Mixing with magma is key
To santorini's explosive power.
285
00:18:38,068 --> 00:18:41,275
But how can water fuel
A volcanic explosion?
286
00:18:45,517 --> 00:18:48,827
To test how water impacts
A volcanic eruption,
287
00:18:48,862 --> 00:18:52,172
Ingo and his team create
Their own mini volcano.
288
00:18:55,034 --> 00:18:57,655
They heat 130-pounds of rock
289
00:18:57,689 --> 00:19:01,206
In a high powered
Induction furnace.
290
00:19:01,241 --> 00:19:05,103
Sonder:
The rock will melt above
1,200 degrees celsius.
291
00:19:05,137 --> 00:19:07,482
We will heat it up
A little bit higher,
292
00:19:07,517 --> 00:19:09,793
So we have it really liquid
Once we pour it.
293
00:19:09,827 --> 00:19:14,103
Narrator:
Ingo sets up the equipment.
294
00:19:14,137 --> 00:19:17,931
Four injection tubes
Will spray water into the magma.
295
00:19:20,344 --> 00:19:23,758
When the magma reaches
2,300 degrees fahrenheit,
296
00:19:23,793 --> 00:19:25,931
Ingo pours it
Into the container.
297
00:19:28,620 --> 00:19:31,310
First, ingo and his team
Will test what happens
298
00:19:31,344 --> 00:19:34,827
When water
Slowly mixes with magma.
299
00:19:34,862 --> 00:19:39,000
He triggers a countdown
And clears the surrounding area.
300
00:19:39,034 --> 00:19:47,172
♪♪
301
00:19:47,206 --> 00:19:51,137
The explosion sends the magma
Flying 3 feet into the air.
302
00:19:53,206 --> 00:19:55,379
But how does it compare to when
The water is mixed
303
00:19:55,413 --> 00:19:58,551
With magma at high speed?
304
00:19:58,586 --> 00:20:00,551
Ingo adjusts the valves.
305
00:20:02,551 --> 00:20:04,655
They run the experiment again.
306
00:20:04,689 --> 00:20:12,206
♪♪
307
00:20:12,241 --> 00:20:19,689
♪♪
308
00:20:19,724 --> 00:20:21,482
Sonder: look at that.
309
00:20:21,517 --> 00:20:24,931
Narrator:
The molten rock is ejected
Over 9 feet into the air,
310
00:20:24,965 --> 00:20:29,655
And melt is spread
Across the surrounding area.
311
00:20:29,689 --> 00:20:33,310
Ingo's tests show the higher
The speed of the water,
312
00:20:33,344 --> 00:20:36,689
The more powerful the explosion.
313
00:20:36,724 --> 00:20:40,517
The speed at which the water
Enters the melt domains
314
00:20:40,551 --> 00:20:43,413
And creates its own mingling.
315
00:20:43,448 --> 00:20:47,862
This is probably
The most important component.
316
00:20:47,896 --> 00:20:49,931
Narrator: the faster the speed,
The more the water
317
00:20:49,965 --> 00:20:51,517
And magma mix together.
318
00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:56,482
And so the more heat shock
The magma receives.
319
00:20:56,517 --> 00:20:58,241
This rapid change
In temperature
320
00:20:58,275 --> 00:21:01,448
Is converted
Into mechanical energy
321
00:21:01,482 --> 00:21:04,482
And is what makes
The eruption so explosive.
322
00:21:09,103 --> 00:21:12,413
The amount of materials
Santorini's volcano expels
323
00:21:12,448 --> 00:21:16,896
Is a testament to the power
Of the magma/water interaction.
324
00:21:16,931 --> 00:21:19,620
Papanikolaou:
The magma from the interior
Of the earth,
325
00:21:19,655 --> 00:21:22,517
It takes up together blocks
And fragments
326
00:21:22,551 --> 00:21:24,517
Of the pre-existing rocks,
327
00:21:24,551 --> 00:21:28,000
And everything is spread
Tens of kilometers away.
328
00:21:30,448 --> 00:21:33,517
Narrator:
As well as lava and ash,
An erupting volcano
329
00:21:33,551 --> 00:21:35,896
Can spew out solid rock --
330
00:21:35,931 --> 00:21:41,655
Chunks bigger than 2 1/2-inches
Are known as lava bombs.
331
00:21:41,689 --> 00:21:44,655
They can be thrown incredible
Distances.
332
00:21:44,689 --> 00:21:47,931
In santorini,
Archeologists find lava bombs
333
00:21:47,965 --> 00:21:50,793
As far as 5 miles
From the volcano.
334
00:21:53,827 --> 00:21:56,413
The explosion of santorini's
Mega volcano
335
00:21:56,448 --> 00:21:58,896
Showers the island
With volcanic bombs
336
00:21:58,931 --> 00:22:03,275
And covers its inhabitants
In a blanket of volcanic ash.
337
00:22:03,310 --> 00:22:05,103
Papanikolaou:
Everything is escalated.
338
00:22:05,137 --> 00:22:08,689
You have bigger
And bigger explosions.
339
00:22:08,724 --> 00:22:11,862
Narrator:
But the danger isn't over yet.
340
00:22:11,896 --> 00:22:14,482
As archeologists dive
Beneath the water,
341
00:22:14,517 --> 00:22:16,206
They discover evidence
That suggests
342
00:22:16,241 --> 00:22:19,551
The eruption triggers another
Destructive force of nature
343
00:22:19,586 --> 00:22:23,068
That devastates
The surrounding islands --
344
00:22:23,103 --> 00:22:25,620
A tsunami.
345
00:22:25,655 --> 00:22:27,482
Can a discovery on the coast
346
00:22:27,517 --> 00:22:32,931
75 miles away provide clues
About santorini's monster wave?
347
00:22:40,310 --> 00:22:43,241
Narrator:
The eruption of santorini
Is a natural disaster
348
00:22:43,275 --> 00:22:47,413
Unparalleled in all of history.
349
00:22:47,448 --> 00:22:50,379
It destroys the ancient city
Of akrotiri
350
00:22:50,413 --> 00:22:53,241
And changes the shape
Of the island forever.
351
00:22:55,758 --> 00:22:58,931
The power of the eruption
Was huge,
352
00:22:58,965 --> 00:23:03,448
The equivalent of 600 atomic
Bombs, can you imagine this?
353
00:23:03,482 --> 00:23:06,310
It was a catastrophe for sure.
354
00:23:06,344 --> 00:23:08,724
Narrator:
But the danger is far from over.
355
00:23:10,758 --> 00:23:14,482
In crete, 75 miles
From santorini,
356
00:23:14,517 --> 00:23:19,827
Archeologists find unusual,
Chaotic layers of soil.
357
00:23:19,862 --> 00:23:23,241
They contain a strange mixture
Of debris --
358
00:23:23,275 --> 00:23:27,655
Pieces of ancient pottery,
Plates and cups,
359
00:23:27,689 --> 00:23:32,655
Chunks of wall plaster from once
Beautiful homes,
360
00:23:32,689 --> 00:23:36,724
And fragments of cattle bones
Mixed in with volcanic ash.
361
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,862
Nestled amongst this debris
362
00:23:40,896 --> 00:23:44,310
Are 3,000-year-old sea shells
And algae
363
00:23:44,344 --> 00:23:47,896
As far as 1,000-feet inland.
364
00:23:47,931 --> 00:23:49,965
Is this mixture of land and sea
365
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,206
Proof of a mega tsunami
From santorini.
366
00:23:55,241 --> 00:23:59,482
As a santorini native,
Marine geologist, evi nomikou,
367
00:23:59,517 --> 00:24:04,482
Feels a close connection
To the volcano.
368
00:24:04,517 --> 00:24:07,758
Nomikou:
I was born in santorini.
My father was a sailor,
369
00:24:07,793 --> 00:24:09,827
So I'm always close to the sea.
370
00:24:09,862 --> 00:24:13,448
And of course, as a kid,
We loved to walk on the volcano
371
00:24:13,482 --> 00:24:17,896
And try to understand
What is happening.
372
00:24:17,931 --> 00:24:23,344
Narrator:
Today, evi uncovers santorini's
Underwater secrets.
373
00:24:23,379 --> 00:24:25,896
She investigates
How the volcanic eruption here
374
00:24:25,931 --> 00:24:28,896
Could trigger a mega tsunami.
375
00:24:28,931 --> 00:24:30,689
Nomikou: some years ago, the
Scientists believe
376
00:24:30,724 --> 00:24:33,310
The generation of tsunami
Happened
377
00:24:33,344 --> 00:24:35,206
Because of
The caldera collapse.
378
00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,620
Narrator: some experts believe
The collapse of the caldera
379
00:24:39,655 --> 00:24:42,448
Into the sea
Displaces so much water
380
00:24:42,482 --> 00:24:44,206
That it triggers the tsunami.
381
00:24:48,275 --> 00:24:52,655
The deadly wave is so huge,
Towering over 90-feet high,
382
00:24:52,689 --> 00:24:56,413
It overwhelms boats and
Destroys everything in its path.
383
00:25:01,344 --> 00:25:03,689
But is there any truth
To the theory?
384
00:25:03,724 --> 00:25:08,758
♪♪
385
00:25:08,793 --> 00:25:11,344
Evi works with remote-operated
Vehicle pilot
386
00:25:11,379 --> 00:25:13,241
Othonas vlasopoulos
387
00:25:13,275 --> 00:25:17,758
To explore santorini's submerged
Caldera for evidence.
388
00:25:17,793 --> 00:25:22,689
The secrets of santorini are on
The seawater, not on land, okay.
389
00:25:22,724 --> 00:25:25,862
We know lots of
What is happening on shore,
390
00:25:25,896 --> 00:25:30,241
But we need to get out
What is happening offshore.
391
00:25:30,275 --> 00:25:34,413
Narrator: othonas prepares
An underwater robot.
392
00:25:34,448 --> 00:25:37,137
The cutting edge r.O.V. Is
Fitted with two cameras
393
00:25:37,172 --> 00:25:40,172
To map and model
The caldera floor.
394
00:25:42,896 --> 00:25:45,379
They deploy the robot off
The southern edge
395
00:25:45,413 --> 00:25:47,827
Of santorini's therasia island.
396
00:25:57,137 --> 00:26:02,586
-we got him 40-meters depth now.
-wow. 40 meters.
397
00:26:02,620 --> 00:26:06,103
Narrator: 130 feet below the
Water's surface,
398
00:26:06,137 --> 00:26:08,965
Evi makes a surprising
Discovery.
399
00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:13,965
On the caldera floor
Is a massive landslide.
400
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:15,310
For sure this is the
Continuation
401
00:26:15,344 --> 00:26:17,655
Of a huge landslide, okay.
402
00:26:17,689 --> 00:26:21,172
So the other water
Landslide tell us
403
00:26:21,206 --> 00:26:23,655
This part of the island was land
404
00:26:23,689 --> 00:26:29,137
And at the end of the eruption,
This part was collapsed.
405
00:26:29,172 --> 00:26:32,379
Narrator:
The landslide is evidence that
At the time of the eruption,
406
00:26:32,413 --> 00:26:34,931
Santorini's islands were
Connected.
407
00:26:34,965 --> 00:26:37,103
Where the caldera lies today
408
00:26:37,137 --> 00:26:41,896
Was once dry land
And closed off to the sea.
409
00:26:41,931 --> 00:26:43,482
You have the caldera collapse,
410
00:26:43,517 --> 00:26:47,620
But at that time, santorini
Was not filled up with water.
411
00:26:47,655 --> 00:26:52,137
The caldera was dry,
Was completely dry.
412
00:26:52,172 --> 00:26:55,724
Narrator:
The caldera is dry and isolated
From the sea,
413
00:26:55,758 --> 00:26:57,896
So its collapse
Cannot be responsible
414
00:26:57,931 --> 00:27:03,000
For generating the mega tsunami
That devastates crete.
415
00:27:03,034 --> 00:27:06,896
So what is the true trigger?
416
00:27:06,931 --> 00:27:09,241
Evi analyzes her surveys
417
00:27:09,275 --> 00:27:12,448
Of santorini's sea floor
To find clues.
418
00:27:15,241 --> 00:27:18,551
The results reveal a huge volume
Of volcanic material
419
00:27:18,586 --> 00:27:21,862
Buried beneath the seabed.
420
00:27:21,896 --> 00:27:25,586
This yellow layer indicates
The pyroclastic flows,
421
00:27:25,620 --> 00:27:28,344
So the thickness of the
Pyroclastic flows
422
00:27:28,379 --> 00:27:31,448
Is almost 300 feet.
423
00:27:31,482 --> 00:27:34,344
Narrator: pyroclastic flows are
Ground-hugging clouds
424
00:27:34,379 --> 00:27:36,724
Of hot volcanic material.
425
00:27:36,758 --> 00:27:40,103
They reach temperatures
Of 1,800 degrees fahrenheit
426
00:27:40,137 --> 00:27:44,413
And can travel up
To 600 miles per hour --
427
00:27:44,448 --> 00:27:47,586
Three times faster
Than a bullet train,
428
00:27:47,620 --> 00:27:51,344
Destroying everything
In its path.
429
00:27:51,379 --> 00:27:54,655
Evi believes these huge 300-feet
Thick deposits
430
00:27:54,689 --> 00:27:56,206
Of volcanic material
431
00:27:56,241 --> 00:27:59,896
Are the true trigger of the mega
Tsunami that devastates crete.
432
00:28:03,896 --> 00:28:06,379
The volcano's violent
Pyroclastic flow
433
00:28:06,413 --> 00:28:09,586
Tumbles into the sea,
Displacing so much water,
434
00:28:09,620 --> 00:28:12,517
It triggers a series
Of powerful tsunamis.
435
00:28:14,620 --> 00:28:17,413
The tsunamis devastate
The coastline of crete
436
00:28:17,448 --> 00:28:19,586
Over 75 miles away
437
00:28:19,620 --> 00:28:21,689
And even reach as far
As the mediterranean's
438
00:28:21,724 --> 00:28:23,896
Eastern shores.
439
00:28:23,931 --> 00:28:28,310
The height of the waves
Was almost 90 feet.
440
00:28:28,344 --> 00:28:31,379
So you had a big tsunami
That was devastating
441
00:28:31,413 --> 00:28:34,172
All the northern parts of crete.
442
00:28:36,275 --> 00:28:38,310
Narrator:
At santorini's southern tip,
443
00:28:38,344 --> 00:28:41,896
Evi explores the pyroclastic
Deposits on land.
444
00:28:44,758 --> 00:28:46,551
It's an alien landscape
445
00:28:46,586 --> 00:28:49,896
Dominated by 130-foot high
Cliffs.
446
00:28:51,931 --> 00:28:54,551
They are proof of
The huge volume of material
447
00:28:54,586 --> 00:28:57,862
Ejected by the volcano.
448
00:28:57,896 --> 00:29:00,482
You need to imagine
All this volume
449
00:29:00,517 --> 00:29:05,310
Of pyroclastic flows
That were entering into the sea
450
00:29:05,344 --> 00:29:10,896
With high speeds
And generated the tsunami.
451
00:29:10,931 --> 00:29:14,724
This was the total catastrophe
Of the island.
452
00:29:18,034 --> 00:29:21,689
Narrator:
The tsunami and ash wipe out
Civilizations on islands
453
00:29:21,724 --> 00:29:24,137
For miles around.
454
00:29:24,172 --> 00:29:27,413
But with so much destroyed,
Scientists and scholars
455
00:29:27,448 --> 00:29:33,000
Wage war over the precise date
Of these cataclysmic events.
456
00:29:33,034 --> 00:29:34,724
Clues buried under water
457
00:29:34,758 --> 00:29:38,379
Over 600 miles away
Could provide the answer.
458
00:29:46,068 --> 00:29:48,931
[ explosion ]
459
00:29:48,965 --> 00:29:51,275
Narrator:
The santorini eruption explodes
460
00:29:51,310 --> 00:29:56,793
With the power of two million
Hiroshima atomic bombs.
461
00:29:56,827 --> 00:29:59,586
But when did this cataclysmic
Event happen?
462
00:30:02,206 --> 00:30:07,034
Evidence for the date may lie
Across the mediterranean.
463
00:30:07,068 --> 00:30:09,724
I believe that the eruption
That led to its tsunami
464
00:30:09,758 --> 00:30:11,827
That made its way
To the shores of israel.
465
00:30:13,241 --> 00:30:18,379
Narrator:
Beverly goodman is a marine
Geo-archeologist.
466
00:30:18,413 --> 00:30:20,413
She studies ancient
Tsunami evidence
467
00:30:20,448 --> 00:30:22,068
Along the shores of israel
468
00:30:22,103 --> 00:30:25,758
And makes some surprising
Discoveries.
469
00:30:25,793 --> 00:30:27,931
Not only do we have evidence
For one tsunami,
470
00:30:27,965 --> 00:30:29,482
We have evidence
For many tsunamis
471
00:30:29,517 --> 00:30:32,103
That have hit
The coast of israel.
472
00:30:32,137 --> 00:30:33,241
Narrator: any evidence here of
473
00:30:33,275 --> 00:30:37,241
The santorini tsunami could help
Date it.
474
00:30:37,275 --> 00:30:39,655
Goodman:
So the way that I go about
Trying to find information
475
00:30:39,689 --> 00:30:41,241
About the coastal history
476
00:30:41,275 --> 00:30:43,206
Is that we look
Along the coastline,
477
00:30:43,241 --> 00:30:47,827
But then we also especially
Go underwater.
478
00:30:47,862 --> 00:30:50,931
Narrator:
Beverly and her team head out
To sea to collect sediments
479
00:30:50,965 --> 00:30:53,655
Near caesarea maritima,
480
00:30:53,689 --> 00:30:56,896
A roman city on israel's
Mediterranean coast.
481
00:31:00,068 --> 00:31:01,551
A team of divers works up
482
00:31:01,586 --> 00:31:04,965
To 120-feet
Beneath the water's surface.
483
00:31:07,068 --> 00:31:10,137
To retrieve a core sample,
The team uses a hammer
484
00:31:10,172 --> 00:31:14,482
To insert a hollow steel tube
Into the seabed.
485
00:31:14,517 --> 00:31:17,793
The tube fills up
With a section of sand.
486
00:31:17,827 --> 00:31:20,620
The divers secure the core
To an airbag
487
00:31:20,655 --> 00:31:22,482
And launch it to the surface.
488
00:31:24,896 --> 00:31:28,724
Back on land, beverly opens
And analyzes the cores.
489
00:31:32,586 --> 00:31:34,551
The cores can reveal
Major events
490
00:31:34,586 --> 00:31:38,137
In the coastline's history.
491
00:31:38,172 --> 00:31:40,724
Goodman:
So what we can see here is that
When we take a core,
492
00:31:40,758 --> 00:31:44,068
The top of the core
Is our present situation.
493
00:31:44,103 --> 00:31:47,689
This is today.
And as we go down the core,
494
00:31:47,724 --> 00:31:49,413
It's sort of like
Looking at tree rings
495
00:31:49,448 --> 00:31:52,448
Where we're
Looking back in time.
496
00:31:52,482 --> 00:31:55,551
Narrator:
Variations in the sediment
Can reveal major events
497
00:31:55,586 --> 00:31:58,551
That hit caesarea's coastline.
498
00:31:58,586 --> 00:32:02,620
We want to pay attention and see
Where we get any chaotic layers
499
00:32:02,655 --> 00:32:06,103
Or any big changes,
But as we get down to this part,
500
00:32:06,137 --> 00:32:10,137
Whoa! Boom! We've got this
Massive, chaotic layer.
501
00:32:10,172 --> 00:32:15,482
It's full of pieces of broken
Shell and tiny little pebbles.
502
00:32:15,517 --> 00:32:16,827
Narrator:
These chaotic layers
503
00:32:16,862 --> 00:32:19,724
Are evidence
Of ancient tsunami damage.
504
00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:26,793
Beverly homes in on
The larger stones and seashells.
505
00:32:26,827 --> 00:32:28,827
This is actually
Our smoking gun.
506
00:32:28,862 --> 00:32:33,103
This is our fingerprint
Of our tsunamis.
507
00:32:33,137 --> 00:32:36,275
The core was collected
In about 60-feet water depth,
508
00:32:36,310 --> 00:32:39,137
And these are clams that like
To live in much deeper water,
509
00:32:39,172 --> 00:32:42,586
So we know that they had
To be transported and moved.
510
00:32:44,413 --> 00:32:47,758
Narrator:
The cores display three strips
Of chaotic layers.
511
00:32:47,793 --> 00:32:51,586
It's evidence
For three tsunami events.
512
00:32:51,620 --> 00:32:54,413
But is one from the santorini
Eruption,
513
00:32:54,448 --> 00:32:57,379
And can it help date it?
514
00:32:57,413 --> 00:33:00,103
The first two chaotic layers
515
00:33:00,137 --> 00:33:03,655
Contain fragments
Of roman pottery.
516
00:33:03,689 --> 00:33:08,413
But at the time of the eruption,
The roman empire doesn't exist.
517
00:33:08,448 --> 00:33:09,862
It suggests those events
518
00:33:09,896 --> 00:33:14,137
Are too recent
To be the santorini tsunami.
519
00:33:14,172 --> 00:33:19,000
The third layer, however,
Contains no pottery whatsoever.
520
00:33:19,034 --> 00:33:22,517
Because we don't see a lot
Of pottery in here, any pottery,
521
00:33:22,551 --> 00:33:25,655
There's a very good chance
That this is an earlier event
522
00:33:25,689 --> 00:33:31,034
And maybe even the event
Related to santorini's eruption.
523
00:33:31,068 --> 00:33:32,379
Narrator:
Beverly sends shells
524
00:33:32,413 --> 00:33:36,068
From this mysterious layer
For radiocarbon analysis.
525
00:33:38,379 --> 00:33:41,068
The results are conclusive.
526
00:33:41,103 --> 00:33:43,241
The radiocarbon dates
On these deposits
527
00:33:43,275 --> 00:33:46,689
Have given us the date
Of 1650 b.C.
528
00:33:46,724 --> 00:33:48,724
Narrator: her results
Give a decisive date
529
00:33:48,758 --> 00:33:52,379
For the obliteration
Of santorini.
530
00:33:52,413 --> 00:33:55,517
Goodman:
These cores are the first
Evidence of a tsunami deposit
531
00:33:55,551 --> 00:33:59,758
From santorini arriving
To the shores of israel.
532
00:33:59,793 --> 00:34:03,551
Narrator:
The dating of 1650 b.C.
Places the eruption close
533
00:34:03,586 --> 00:34:05,034
To the mysterious collapse
534
00:34:05,068 --> 00:34:07,517
Of a mighty sea-faring
Civilization --
535
00:34:07,551 --> 00:34:09,793
The minoans.
536
00:34:09,827 --> 00:34:13,034
Although only
70 miles away from santorini,
537
00:34:13,068 --> 00:34:15,482
The minoans have a distinct
And separate culture
538
00:34:15,517 --> 00:34:18,931
From the people of akrotiri.
539
00:34:18,965 --> 00:34:21,689
The minoan civilization
Is situated in crete
540
00:34:21,724 --> 00:34:24,482
And its surrounding islands.
541
00:34:24,517 --> 00:34:27,275
While most people in europe
Live in simple huts,
542
00:34:27,310 --> 00:34:31,000
The minoans
Build advanced cities.
543
00:34:31,034 --> 00:34:33,586
But 200 years
After the eruption,
544
00:34:33,620 --> 00:34:38,275
The civilization declines
And is conquered by invaders.
545
00:34:38,310 --> 00:34:40,275
Is the eruption to blame?
546
00:34:44,793 --> 00:34:46,931
Many archeologists believe
547
00:34:46,965 --> 00:34:49,310
That the santorini eruption
Plays a role
548
00:34:49,344 --> 00:34:51,379
In the great minoan collapse.
549
00:34:53,413 --> 00:34:57,965
The explosion covers the land
In ash, choking the vegetation,
550
00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:02,103
And the tsunami
Destroys many of their fleets.
551
00:35:02,137 --> 00:35:06,517
They become an open target
For enemy attack.
552
00:35:06,551 --> 00:35:09,620
It's the worst natural disaster
In recorded history,
553
00:35:09,655 --> 00:35:11,586
And the minoans pay for it.
554
00:35:11,620 --> 00:35:13,620
Finding the tsunami evidence
555
00:35:13,655 --> 00:35:16,620
From this far in the eastern
Mediterranean shows
556
00:35:16,655 --> 00:35:20,758
That it was truly a massive,
Catastrophic event,
557
00:35:20,793 --> 00:35:24,379
And makes us really understand
What it meant for that time.
558
00:35:26,482 --> 00:35:29,862
Narrator: but who are the people
Who live in ancient akrotiri?
559
00:35:32,758 --> 00:35:38,551
Many scientists claim santorini
Is the lost island of atlantis.
560
00:35:38,586 --> 00:35:40,551
Could a discovery
On the sea floor
561
00:35:40,586 --> 00:35:43,517
Provide evidence
Of a submerged city?
562
00:35:53,586 --> 00:35:57,137
Narrator:
The eruption of santorini
In 1650 b.C.
563
00:35:57,172 --> 00:35:59,862
Decimates all life on the island
564
00:35:59,896 --> 00:36:02,068
And erases
An entire civilization
565
00:36:02,103 --> 00:36:05,275
From the pages of history.
566
00:36:05,310 --> 00:36:08,413
The mysterious lost people
Of ancient akrotiri
567
00:36:08,448 --> 00:36:12,517
Leave behind no written records
Of who they are.
568
00:36:12,551 --> 00:36:18,551
Clues, however, can be found
In the archeological evidence.
569
00:36:18,586 --> 00:36:21,000
The ruins preserved
By the volcanic ash
570
00:36:21,034 --> 00:36:24,379
Provide a glimpse of this
Advanced, lost civilization.
571
00:36:26,413 --> 00:36:27,931
Through the front door,
572
00:36:27,965 --> 00:36:32,068
A stone staircase
Leads up to the first floor.
573
00:36:32,103 --> 00:36:35,206
The floors are paved with
Huge slabs of volcanic rock
574
00:36:35,241 --> 00:36:37,241
With vibrant red detail.
575
00:36:39,379 --> 00:36:43,206
Beautiful frescoes adorn
The walls depicting local life
576
00:36:43,241 --> 00:36:48,275
By the sea -- sailboats
And fishermen with their catch.
577
00:36:48,310 --> 00:36:53,620
Alongside an ancient bathroom
With a magnificent clay bathtub
578
00:36:53,655 --> 00:36:57,689
And one of the earliest toilets
Ever discovered, ingeniously
579
00:36:57,724 --> 00:37:01,068
Plumbed into the city's own
Sewer network.
580
00:37:01,103 --> 00:37:03,241
It's evidence of
A highly sophisticated
581
00:37:03,275 --> 00:37:05,862
And cultured society.
582
00:37:05,896 --> 00:37:08,965
What is this civilization,
And who are its people?
583
00:37:11,379 --> 00:37:14,689
Most of the people believe
The lost atlantis city
584
00:37:14,724 --> 00:37:16,689
Was here --
Was in santorini.
585
00:37:16,724 --> 00:37:19,758
There was a huge city,
A marvelous city
586
00:37:19,793 --> 00:37:21,896
That has been
Destroyed completely
587
00:37:21,931 --> 00:37:23,827
Due to the eruption.
588
00:37:23,862 --> 00:37:25,793
Narrator:
In 360 b.C.,
589
00:37:25,827 --> 00:37:30,517
The greek philosopher plato
Records the legend of atlantis,
590
00:37:30,551 --> 00:37:32,517
The story of
An advanced civilization
591
00:37:32,551 --> 00:37:37,241
Destroyed by the gods
For their arrogance.
592
00:37:37,275 --> 00:37:41,517
It's a story that's fascinated
Us for millennia.
593
00:37:41,551 --> 00:37:43,655
People have searched
For physical evidence
594
00:37:43,689 --> 00:37:46,275
Of plato's atlantis,
But found nothing.
595
00:37:48,586 --> 00:37:52,241
Could santorini
Be the lost island of atlantis?
596
00:37:52,275 --> 00:37:57,379
Plato say that the civilization
Was very brilliant,
597
00:37:57,413 --> 00:38:00,206
And we do know the people
That they live in santorini
598
00:38:00,241 --> 00:38:03,379
At that time, they were very
Clever.
599
00:38:03,413 --> 00:38:07,862
That civilization
Was very sophisticated.
600
00:38:07,896 --> 00:38:11,172
Narrator:
But something doesn't stack up.
601
00:38:11,206 --> 00:38:14,344
Plato's atlantis sinks
Into the ocean,
602
00:38:14,379 --> 00:38:17,448
But santorini doesn't
603
00:38:17,482 --> 00:38:21,551
Could more evidence
Be submerged beneath the waves?
604
00:38:26,034 --> 00:38:28,241
Evi uses her remote
Operated vehicle
605
00:38:28,275 --> 00:38:31,172
To explore santorini's
Hidden depths.
606
00:38:33,517 --> 00:38:38,586
She's looking for any evidence
Of ancient man-made structures.
607
00:38:38,620 --> 00:38:40,241
Nomikou: I'm just wondering
What will happen
608
00:38:40,275 --> 00:38:46,172
If we map the area on the
Smallest dikes over there.
609
00:38:46,206 --> 00:38:47,793
Narrator:
In santorini's caldera
610
00:38:47,827 --> 00:38:50,482
On the eastern edge
Of therasia island,
611
00:38:50,517 --> 00:38:52,620
36-feet below the water,
612
00:38:52,655 --> 00:38:55,206
Evi makes
An extraordinary discovery.
613
00:38:55,241 --> 00:38:59,413
Yeah. What is this?
Yeah, you see the structure
614
00:38:59,448 --> 00:39:01,379
Of the lava?
-yes.
615
00:39:01,413 --> 00:39:02,517
It's very peculiar here.
616
00:39:02,551 --> 00:39:06,482
Also, there is a line here.
Wow.
617
00:39:06,517 --> 00:39:12,000
So we have some kind of steps
Very close to the land.
618
00:39:12,034 --> 00:39:14,586
Narrator:
An ancient structure bears
A striking resemblance
619
00:39:14,620 --> 00:39:18,206
To a stone staircase.
620
00:39:18,241 --> 00:39:21,758
But is it natural or man-made?
621
00:39:21,793 --> 00:39:24,724
The step could be man-made,
Okay,
622
00:39:24,758 --> 00:39:28,275
Because of the shape,
The geometry of the step,
623
00:39:28,310 --> 00:39:33,482
They don't have this peculiar
Lava structure around.
624
00:39:33,517 --> 00:39:37,068
This is completely flat
And perpendicular.
625
00:39:39,827 --> 00:39:42,241
Narrator: but why are these
Steps underwater?
626
00:39:44,448 --> 00:39:47,448
Maybe this is a small part of
The ancient port --
627
00:39:47,482 --> 00:39:50,034
A submerged ancient port.
-amazing.
628
00:39:50,068 --> 00:39:52,724
Narrator: an ancient port
Within the caldera
629
00:39:52,758 --> 00:39:57,137
Matches plato's description of
Atlantis.
630
00:39:57,172 --> 00:39:58,862
Originally on dry land,
631
00:39:58,896 --> 00:40:00,931
The port collapses
Into the caldera
632
00:40:00,965 --> 00:40:03,965
During santorini's eruption.
It suggests
633
00:40:04,000 --> 00:40:07,172
The port sits right on top
Of the volcano's epicenter
634
00:40:07,206 --> 00:40:11,448
When it erupts over
3,000 years ago.
635
00:40:11,482 --> 00:40:15,310
If we found some remnants
Of the port within the caldera,
636
00:40:15,344 --> 00:40:20,586
That means that something
That was an ancient city
637
00:40:20,620 --> 00:40:22,448
Just in the middle
Of the caldera
638
00:40:22,482 --> 00:40:25,310
Like plato described.
639
00:40:25,344 --> 00:40:27,827
Narrator: evi will need
Future exploration
640
00:40:27,862 --> 00:40:29,379
To confirm her findings
641
00:40:29,413 --> 00:40:34,517
And reveal the true relationship
Between santorini and atlantis.
642
00:40:34,551 --> 00:40:36,275
Nikomou:
If you connect geography,
643
00:40:36,310 --> 00:40:39,275
The history, and the
Catastrophic event
644
00:40:39,310 --> 00:40:41,482
Of the eruption,
That means you have found
645
00:40:41,517 --> 00:40:44,758
Some evidence of the lost
Atlantis in santorini.
646
00:40:44,793 --> 00:40:50,689
♪♪
647
00:40:50,724 --> 00:40:54,827
Narrator: santorini is an island
Borne out of fire and brimstone.
648
00:40:57,206 --> 00:41:00,482
Today, the ruins of akrotiri
Are all that remains
649
00:41:00,517 --> 00:41:02,344
Of the
Sophisticated civilization
650
00:41:02,379 --> 00:41:04,034
That once thrives here.
651
00:41:06,551 --> 00:41:10,137
Wiped from existence
In the largest volcanic eruption
652
00:41:10,172 --> 00:41:11,793
In human history.
653
00:41:16,379 --> 00:41:22,413
By unearthing the remains
And diving deep into the crater,
654
00:41:22,448 --> 00:41:25,862
Experts can piece together
The true story of santorini's
655
00:41:25,896 --> 00:41:29,620
Mega volcano,
And discover the real connection
656
00:41:29,655 --> 00:41:33,896
Between ancient akrotiri
And the legend of atlantis.
657
00:41:33,931 --> 00:41:43,896
♪♪
658
00:41:43,931 --> 00:41:53,896
♪♪
659
00:41:53,931 --> 00:42:03,965
♪♪
53887
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