Where is Greece Heading?

Greece is a beautiful country surrounded by the ocean. Greece's geography is fascinating because of the wide range of variety. In one day, you could experience anything from mountain ranges, to volcanic islands, or the intensely blue waters of the Mediterranean ocean.

Mykonos Greece

The Mediterranean country of Greece lies on top of three separate tectonic plates: the Eurasian,
African, and Aegean Sea plates.  Currently the Aegean Sea plate is moving Southwest at speed of 30 millimeters per year. Right now Greece experiences earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 or lower on average due to the Southwestern movement of the Aegean Sea plate in relation to the Eurasian plate. In 10,000 years the Aegean Sea plate will have moved roughly 985 feet. This will cause many more frequent earthquakes but overall not much of a noticeable geographical shift. Simultaneously, the African plate is being sub ducted underneath the Aegean Sea plate at the speed of 40 millimeters per year. In 10,000 years this will equate to a movement of 1,312 feet. This will most likely contribute to more volcanic activity that currently is occurring in the Hellenic Arc.

Tectonic Plates That Greece Sits Upon

In 1,000,000 years, the movements of these three plates will cause a much more drastic shift in geography. In 1,000,000 years, the Aegean plate will be moved 98,425 feet causing even more violent seismic activity and perhaps a rift being created between the Eurasian and Aegean plates. The most drastic changes will be taking place on the subduction zone of the African plate. The Hellenic Arc of volcanoes and island of Crete exists today because of this zone, so it is easy to see that in 1,000,000 years that volcanism will have vastly increased. More volcanoes and island chains will be springing up all over the plate subduction zone and along with them volcanic eruptions. These eruptions and seismic activity will cause both humans and animal life to move away from the area. The increase of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from these volcanoes will also cause for an increase in local surface temperatures.

The Island of Crete today. With further plate movement in 1,00,000 years, similar islands to this and many volcanoes will be created

Finally, in 100,000,000 years, the subduction of the African plate will have greatly sub ducted beneath the Eurasian plate. This plate movement will cause a large amount of crustal uplift, creating new island chains, similar to the island of Crete and new arc's of volcanoes. These new volcanoes and lava flow will leave the earth with new geology and geography. Build up from volcanic lava flow will create new volcanic rock, while also eroding other areas. Older volcanoes that die and erode, like the original volcanoes from the Hellenic Arc that exists today, will most likely erode into volcanic necks and new craters form volcanic collapses.

While the future is uncertain and the it is impossible to predict what will exactly happen, we are given strong clues based on the current conditions of Greece and the knowledge that we have about plate tectonics and how land masses are formed from Geography 1202. 

Photo Sources:
http://photos.adriatyk.com.pl/_adr_city/large/S/ADR-SANTGR-7.JPG

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/greece/images/greece_plates.gif

http://www.crete-kreta.com/files/u2/AgiiTheodori.jpg

Information Sources:

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/hellenic-arc.html

http://eurasiatectonics.weebly.com/adriatic-and-aegean-plates.html

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/greece/tectonic_summary.php

Weather and Climate

The country of Greece lies within the Mediterranean area of Europe and experiences split climate conditions depending on what part of the country you reside. The Eastern side of Greece has a drier climate in contrast to the wet climate of the northern and western portions. The Northern division of Athens, Greece has a Köeppen climate classification of Csa, while Southern Athens has a classification of BSh. This indicates that northern Athens experiences mild winters, hot summers,  a dry summer season while southern Athens experiences a dry, hot steppe.

Koeppen Classification Codes

Koeppen Climate Map

The weather of Athens is also significantly influenced by the topography of the area because Athens is located in the rain shadow of Mount Parnitha. The wet cool air begins the rise and precipitate on the windward side of the mountain leaving only dry air to move over the leeward side of the mountain creating a much drier climate than the rest of the area.

Illustration of Rain Shadow Effect

View of Mount Parnitha

Overall Greece can be split into two main seasons: the cold and rainy period lasting from October till March, and the dry hot season from April until September.  Greece's Mediterranean climate is caused by the subtropical air mass that moves in a northern direction away from the equator during the summer months, and back towards the equator during the winter months. During the summer when the subtropical air drifts away from the equator it creates a high pressure belt that results in hot, dry weather that contrast the the low pressure depressions that creates mild winters with precipitation as rain or snow.


Image Sources:
http://hanschen.org/img/koppen_all_1901-2010.png
http://clasfaculty.ucdenver.edu/callen/1202/Climate/EarthTempClim/KoeppenLetterCodes.jpg
http://biobook.nerinxhs.org/bb/ecology/ecosystems/1000px-Rain_shadow.svg.png
http://cdn2.gbtimes.com/cdn/farfuture/66MgBzTK9JQZb8CrXqPNAifT7XxMM_I431CUIR-2x0c/mtime:1411983414/sites/default/files/styles/1280_wide/public/2014/09/26/bluto_blutarski.jpg?itok=AVaBes14


Information Sources:
http://www.athenstourgreece.com/tours-step-1/athens-the-capital-of-greece/
http://www.alpha-omegaonline.com/weather_greece.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/372651/Mediterranean-climate
http://www.enviropedia.org.uk/Climate/Mediterranean_Climate.php

Rock Decay

Rock decay has a huge impact on how the world around us is shaped and constantly changing. Not only does decay and weathering shape our landscape it also shapes our architecture and monuments. Rock weathering and decay has become a problem for Greece because their most treasured monuments are crumbling right in front of their eyes.

Parthenon, Athens

The Acropolis of Athens where the Parthenon sits recently has been labeled as in danger due to both physical and chemical rock decay. The flat rock that the Acropolis sits on has recently become very unstable and started to break off. Large boulder size rocks of the Acropolis have broken off and come in close contact of the both the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena. If this continues without intervention soon these rocks will destroy the surrounding monuments.

Recent decay that poses dangers to Greek monuments has always been an inevitable part of nature that can only be partially postponed. To start lets take a look at the types of decay that are happening in the Acropolis. The two main reasons for the decay happening is from water, and from pollution in the atmosphere. Archeologist believe that run off water from drainage pipes from the Acropolis Museum have been a huge cause for blame. The Parthenon is made solely of marble air pollution has caused for the chemical action of dissolution to decay the rock. The rising levels of nitric, and sulfuric acid in our air have started to react with the calcite in the marble that causes it to dissolve.

Acid Rain Effects On Columns

Marble being a metamorphic rock is much more porous than igneous rocks like granite and can absorb more water. With the Acropolis Museum having run off water that comes in direct contact with the Parthenon and Acropolis this is causing the marble monuments to absorb the water and further decay.

Picture Sources:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/The_Parthenon_in_Athens.jpg
http://scienceprojectideasforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Greek-Ruins-224x300.jpg

Information Sources:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/17096/20141004/is-acropolis-really-crumbling-and-2-500-year-old-parthenon-in-danger.htm
http://www.msn.com/en-sa/news/other/greek-tragedy-acropolis-is-decaying/ar-BB74ixx
http://www.ysma.gr/en/conservation-works
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/acidrain/5.html
http://info.marbleandgranite.com/blog/bid/187549/How-on-earth-can-marble-or-granite-absorb-water

Plate Tectonics

Boundary Tectonic Plates of Greece

  Greece is home to lots of seismic activity due to the several interactions in between three main plates: Eurasia, Aegean Sea, and African Plate. The Aegean Sea Plate is currently moving at approximately 30mm in a Southwestern motion against the Eurasia Plate and this action causes seismic activity in both Northern and central Greece. While this causes earthquakes and other seismic activity, interactions between the Eurasian and African plates cause a much more fascinating phenomenon known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc.

Hellenic Volcanic Arc in Crete, Greece

The island of Crete was created through this interaction between the Eurasian and Africa plates. An uplift in the Earth's crust was caused by the subduction of the African and Eurasian plates that lead to the creation of the Crete island.

Subduction Diagram of Ocean to another Ocean Plate

Just North of the subduction zone is the Hellenic Arc of both active and inactive volcanoes and on the subduction zone is the Cretan Trough that extends 2000 meters below the surface. This subduction zone allows for magma to push up from the core that creates islands and volcanoes like Santorini in the Hellenic Arc.

Location of Volcanic Arc and Trench in Relation to Aegean and African Plates

Methana, Santorini, and Nisyros are the main active volcanoes in the Hellenic arc, and Santorini has been the most popular throughout history.  The Santorini volcano is famous for it's eruption in 1640 B.C. that killed off the Minoan population inhabiting the island. Santorini has had active eruptions up until the 1950's and now seems to be laying dormant.  

Santorini Eruption- 1950

Image Sources:

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/gifs/greece_plates.gif

http://www.photovolcanica.com/VolcanoInfo/Santorini/Santorini02.jpg

http://www.platetectonics.com/book/images/Convergence2.gif

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Hellenic_arc.png

http://platos-academy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/thera_eruption_1950.jpg

Information References:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/greece/tectonic_summary.php

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/greece.html

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/hellenic-arc.html

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/santorini.html

http://platos-academy.com/thera-eruption/

Introduction

This is a blog created by Samantha Weston for the course Physical Geography 1202

Map of Greece

I am currently a student at Colorado University Denver studying Fine Arts with an emphasis in Drawing. I have chosen Greece as my location to research and further my knowledge about it's geography and physical characteristics. Last summer I was lucky enough to visit Monte Negro, Albania, and Greece. While there I couldn't help but want to know more about the landscape and the ocean that surrounds it. The entire time I as mesmerized by the beautiful blue water, mountain rages, and chains of islands.

While Greece is fascinating in todays modern world it has always been a historically rich rich culture and country. Greece has several historical landmarks, temples, architecture, statues, and other great works or art. Throughout this course I hope to learn about the landscape, ocean, climate, population, architecture, and much more.

Greece beach Zakynthos

Image Sources:
http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/greece-vacations/
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european-union/greece/map/
http://www.mrwallpaper.com/wallpapers/greece-beach-zakynthos-1680x1050.jpg