Abstract:

Thera, along with the islands of Therasia, Aspronisi, Palaea and Nea Kameni, form a
vast roundly shaped caldera, of 8x10 km. Because of the intense volcanic activity, The shape and morphology of Thera has repeatedly changed through the years. This characteristic makes Thera, from a geological point of view, a very interesting island. Paleo-environmental and volcanic evolution is quite impressive, moreover if it is expressed through modern technology, such as GIS and modern visualization tools. As far as archaeological findings are concerned, Thera is already famous for the existence of the Minoan civilization. Volcanic activity is highly linked to both the
preservation of the archaeological findings and the destruction of the Minoan civilization over Thera Island. In this study with the use of Geographical Information Systems we propose a wide cultural park, combining all physical, geological, geomorphological and cultural characteristics, and through that the connection between volcanic activity and Minoan civilization evolution.