The main event of the great Bronze Age eruption of Thera was the generation of huge volumes of pyroclastic flows that plowed into and over the sea surrounding this volcanic island. Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving, hot and avalanche-like density currents of pumice, ash and gases.

Today we think that we have located the submarine deposits from these pyroclastic flows. Seismic air-gun surveys to the south-west and west of Thera reveal a 20 to 30 meter thick deposit on the sea floor, that is derived from Thera. The flow has moved down slope as a single layer, but on steep slopes it has slipped and former huge "wrinkles" at the surface, creating a system of terraces or steps on the submarine slopes of the volcano.

This discovery is the first of its kind in the study of submarine pyroclastic flow deposits.