Discovery of a tsunami deposit from the Bronze Age Santorini eruption at Malia (Crete): impact, chronology, extension

A geomorphological survey immediately west of the Minoan town of Malia (Crete) shows that a tsunami resulting from the Bronze Age Santorini eruption reached the outskirts of the Palatial center. Sediment cores testify a unique erosional event during the Late Minoan period, followed locally by a high energy sand unit comprising marine fauna. This confirms that a tsunami impacted northern Crete and caused an inundation up to 400 m inland at Malia. We obtained a radiocarbon range of 1744-1544 BCE for the secure pre-tsunami context and an interval 1509-1430 BCE for the post-event layer. Examination of tsunami deposits was used to constrain run-up not exceeding 8 m asl. The results open the field for new research on the Bronze Age Santorini tsunami regarding both impact and consequences for the Minoan civilization.

Automated summary

The geomorphological survey conducted near the Minoan town of Malia in Crete revealed evidence of a tsunami reaching the Palatial center as a result of the Bronze Age Santorini eruption, inundating up to 400 meters inland. The sediment cores confirmed a unique erosional event during the Late Minoan period, followed by a high energy sand unit containing marine fauna. This opens up new research opportunities regarding the impact and consequences of the Bronze Age Santorini tsunami on the Minoan civilization.