Volcano‐Tectonic Evolution of the Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo Rift Zone

Located on the Hellenic Arc, the Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo (CSK) rift zone represents one of the most active and hazardous volcano‐tectonic systems in the Mediterranean. Although this rift zone has been intensively studied, its tectonic evolution and the interplay of volcanism and tectonism are still poorly understood. In this study, we use high‐resolution reflection seismic imagery to reconstruct the opening of the rift basins. For the first time, we relate the activity of individual faults with the activity of specific volcanic centers in space and time. Our analysis shows a pre‐volcanic NNE‐SSW‐oriented paleo basin underneath the CSK volcanoes, representing a transfer zone between Pliocene ESE‐WNW‐oriented basins, which was overprinted by a NE‐SW‐oriented tectonic regime hosting Late Pliocene volcanism that initiated at the Christiana Volcano. All subsequent volcanoes evolved parallel to this trend. Two major Pleistocene tectonic pulses preceded fundamental changes in the volcanism of the CSK rift including the occurrence of widespread small‐scale volcanic centers followed by focusing of activity at Santorini with increasing explosivity. The observed correlation between changes in the tectonic system and the magmatism of the CSK volcanoes suggests a deep‐seated tectonic control of the volcanic plumbing system. In turn, our analysis reveals the absence of large‐scale faults in basin segments affected by volcanism indicating a secondary feedback mechanism on the tectonic system. A comparison with the evolution of the neighboring Kos‐Nisyros‐Yali volcanic field zone and Rhodos highlights concurrent regional volcano‐tectonic changes, suggesting a potential arc‐wide scale of the observed volcano‐tectonic interplay. Plain Language Summary How do regional tectonic movements and large volcanoes interact? Seismological studies indicate complex volcano‐tectonic feedback links, but, so far, information on the long‐term interactions between tectonics and volcanism is rarely available. The Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo (CSK) rift zone lies in the Aegean Sea and is notorious for its devastating volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. This region offers the opportunity to study volcano‐tectonic interactions over several million years. In this study, we use high‐resolution seismic imagery to reconstruct the evolution of the rift basins and the CSK volcanoes. We find that all volcanoes lie in a Pliocene transfer zone connecting extensional basins. Volcanism ini