Bathy-morphological setting of the submarine pausanias volcanic field, south aegean active volcanic arc

Abstract

High-resolution swath-bathymetry has been acquired during recent surveys in Saronikos Gulf, near the densely populated city of Athens. This paper presents the first detailed bathymetric map, at a scale of 1:12,000, of the active Submarine Pausanias Volcanic Field located offshore NW Methana Peninsula in Saronikos Gulf, Aegean Sea (Main Map). Rugged morphology characterizes the volcanic field that includes mainly cone-shaped features. Six volcanic outcrops, covering an area of about 12 km2, have been morpho-bathymetrically outlined, and their sub-bottom character has been described by the integration of 2D seismic reflection profiles. Two groups of outcrops have been distinguished. An older group comprising more complex, erosional-shaped outcrops, and a younger group consisting of sub-conical outcrops. Both groups have been morphologically correlated to their onshore equivalents in the adjacent peninsula of Methana. Despite the active tectonic regime of the region, no evidence of mass transport-related features have been observed.