Read Online The Volcano That Changed The World by James W. Mercer - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: James W. Mercer
Ads: Link
Thera eruption in Geophysical Notes , a publication distributed by the American Geophysical Union, or AGU.
M any years before, a researcher attending a meeting sponsored by AGU had been the first to coin the phrase “climate change,” and the Thera eruption had certainly caused the climate to change, albeit for only a few years. Mark had already received several emails about his findings, which had been published just in time for the summer field season. Some were from peers whom he knew; Hickenbottom, for example, would be using his results during his studies in Egypt this summer. Mark planned to stay in touch with Hickenbottom; they were studying the same volcanic event in different locations.
In Santorini, Mark would be working with a Greek archeologist, Dr. Alexandra Papadopulos. Their goal was to integrate what he learned from studying the eruption from a geological viewpoint with her archeological viewpoint of the same eruption. Unlike Hickenbottom, he knew Papadopulos only by reputation, but there was every indication that she would be a great team member based on her publications. An expert on Minoan culture, she had participated in multiple excavations and digs. They had discussed by phone and email how their work together could unravel some of the remaining mysteries linking the Thera eruption to the destruction of the Minoan civilization. Mark’s greater ambition was to link the downfall of Crete with Plato’s story of Atlantis.
Chapter Four
The earth has music for those who listen.
—William Shakespeare
Santorini, June 1998
It was the last leg of his trip, a short forty-five-minute flight from Athens to the National Airport of Santorini. Not a cloud in the sky. Looking down, Mark saw numerous green and brown islands dotting a sea of aquamarine blue. Although the air was crystal clear, the small Aegean Airlines turboprop bounced up and down, and slowly swayed to and fro as they traveled the one hundred twenty miles southeast from Greece’s mainland. The motion was a welcome harbinger of adventure, one he was ready for after his near-death experience.
Suddenly, the plane was more violently buffeted, the result of clear air turbulence. As Mark remained firmly strapped in his seat, he thought about the many hours spent in this position. The day before, he left Tallahassee midday and traveled to Atlanta, the jumping-off airport for the entire southeastern US. From there, he had flown overnight to London’s Heathrow Airport, cleared customs, and waited for his flight to Athens. It was now the afternoon of his second day of travel. By all rights he should be tired, but he was on an emotional high, excited to finally reach Santorini.
Mark was glued to the plane’s translucent window throughout their descent. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows from the hills and buildings. He could see the entire island of Santorini ahead of them. What was left of the once rounded island following the volcanic eruption was now an arc, an eleven-mile curvature that varied in width from one to almost four miles. A smaller island alongside the main island formed the remaining visible walls that circled the crater of the once gigantic ancient volcano. In the caldera center were two small volcanic islands. Mark knew that from time to time these small volcanoes belched up smoke and ash, reminders of their much more violent past. Today, they were tranquil.
In some places surrounding the crater, cliffs rose nearly twelve hundred feet out of the water. The cliffs were composed of layers of light grey, black, and dark red rocks typical of volcanic ash, lava, and pumice stone. From a distance, the tops of the cliffs appeared snow covered, but as the plane drew closer, Mark could see instead white structures accented with splashes of colorful roofs and doors draping the ridgeline. These homes and hotels must have quite a view, Mark thought. Glistening in the sun, the buildings
M any years before, a researcher attending a meeting sponsored by AGU had been the first to coin the phrase “climate change,” and the Thera eruption had certainly caused the climate to change, albeit for only a few years. Mark had already received several emails about his findings, which had been published just in time for the summer field season. Some were from peers whom he knew; Hickenbottom, for example, would be using his results during his studies in Egypt this summer. Mark planned to stay in touch with Hickenbottom; they were studying the same volcanic event in different locations.
In Santorini, Mark would be working with a Greek archeologist, Dr. Alexandra Papadopulos. Their goal was to integrate what he learned from studying the eruption from a geological viewpoint with her archeological viewpoint of the same eruption. Unlike Hickenbottom, he knew Papadopulos only by reputation, but there was every indication that she would be a great team member based on her publications. An expert on Minoan culture, she had participated in multiple excavations and digs. They had discussed by phone and email how their work together could unravel some of the remaining mysteries linking the Thera eruption to the destruction of the Minoan civilization. Mark’s greater ambition was to link the downfall of Crete with Plato’s story of Atlantis.
Chapter Four
The earth has music for those who listen.
—William Shakespeare
Santorini, June 1998
It was the last leg of his trip, a short forty-five-minute flight from Athens to the National Airport of Santorini. Not a cloud in the sky. Looking down, Mark saw numerous green and brown islands dotting a sea of aquamarine blue. Although the air was crystal clear, the small Aegean Airlines turboprop bounced up and down, and slowly swayed to and fro as they traveled the one hundred twenty miles southeast from Greece’s mainland. The motion was a welcome harbinger of adventure, one he was ready for after his near-death experience.
Suddenly, the plane was more violently buffeted, the result of clear air turbulence. As Mark remained firmly strapped in his seat, he thought about the many hours spent in this position. The day before, he left Tallahassee midday and traveled to Atlanta, the jumping-off airport for the entire southeastern US. From there, he had flown overnight to London’s Heathrow Airport, cleared customs, and waited for his flight to Athens. It was now the afternoon of his second day of travel. By all rights he should be tired, but he was on an emotional high, excited to finally reach Santorini.
Mark was glued to the plane’s translucent window throughout their descent. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows from the hills and buildings. He could see the entire island of Santorini ahead of them. What was left of the once rounded island following the volcanic eruption was now an arc, an eleven-mile curvature that varied in width from one to almost four miles. A smaller island alongside the main island formed the remaining visible walls that circled the crater of the once gigantic ancient volcano. In the caldera center were two small volcanic islands. Mark knew that from time to time these small volcanoes belched up smoke and ash, reminders of their much more violent past. Today, they were tranquil.
In some places surrounding the crater, cliffs rose nearly twelve hundred feet out of the water. The cliffs were composed of layers of light grey, black, and dark red rocks typical of volcanic ash, lava, and pumice stone. From a distance, the tops of the cliffs appeared snow covered, but as the plane drew closer, Mark could see instead white structures accented with splashes of colorful roofs and doors draping the ridgeline. These homes and hotels must have quite a view, Mark thought. Glistening in the sun, the buildings
Similar Books
