Further research on the active undersea volcano Kolumbo is underway after scientists were surprised by the extent and development of the magma chamber under the volcano. However, the magma chamber is separate from that associated with the Santorini system.

The volcano is located in the southern Aegean Sea, 8 km northeast of Santorini and around 3 km in diameter, with a 1.5 km wide caldera. Its highest summit at present is at a shallow depth of 10 metres (30 feet).

The only recorded eruption was in 1650 AD, when the volcano broke the surface, eventually collapsing in on itself, and generating tsunamis and pyroclastic flows that reached Santorini, causing the deaths of 70 people and many animals.

It is hoped that further research will give a better understanding of the volcano and what risk it poses in the future to Santorini and the wider Aegean region.