Greek scientist and Geology professor Paraskevi (Evi) Nomikou has been awarded the prestigious Fisher Medal by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) for her work on volcanoes.
She became the first Greek volcanologist to receive this honor.
The award, named after American Professor Richard Fisher and given every four years after rigorous selection, recognizes Nomikou’s expertise in submarine volcano morphology and marine volcanic processes. She is a professor of geological oceanography at the University of Athens.
Nomikou, a Santorini native, has led over 80 oceanographic missions focusing on underwater volcanoes, including Kolumbo and Santorini. She created SANTORY, Greece’s first submarine volcano observatory, providing crucial data during recent seismic crises.
IAVCEI says that the Greek scientist’s career has been defined by hands-on exploration of the morphology of underwater volcanoes, with extensive experience in marine volcanic
and seafloor extruding processes.
With more than 80 oceanographic cruises under her belt, Professor Nomikou has led field-based investigations across the Hellenic Arc, focusing particularly on Kolumbo seamount,
Santorini, Milos, Nisyros, and Methana—regions that host some of the most active and hazardous volcanic systems in Europe.
“I was born in one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Santorini, and from a young age I wanted to understand the dynamics of volcanoes and how to help the residents in the event of a possible eruption.
“My wish was to explore the underwater volcano of Kolumbo… and by studying geology, I managed to turn my dream into reality. By dealing with the recent earthquake crisis in Santorini, I understood how important it is to transfer our knowledge to the people and offer them safety with our findings,” Nomikou told the Bulletin of IAVCEI.
Her work relies on seafloor mapping, submersible dives, in situ sampling, and geophysical data collection, all rooted in the observational tradition that defined the legacy of Richard V.
Fisher.
As the PI of SANTORY (SANTORini seafloor observatory), she established the first long-term monitoring observatory at the Kolumbo submarine volcano. Her research has provided crucial insights into the 2011–2012 and 2025 seismo-volcanic crises in Santorini, improving our understanding of the processes that precede explosive underwater eruptions and how deformation signals relate to volcanic hazards.
Her studies on underwater volcanic areas where new earthquakes and deformation have
been taking place are critical to the ongoing evaluation of future submarine eruption scenarios.
She has been a driving force behind international collaborations, participating in over 70 EU and US-funded research projects. Her impact on the field is further highlighted by her extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journal. These collaborative projects have fostered lasting partnerships with premier institutions and universities across Europe and the United States, IAVCEI notes.
Nomikou received the Athens Academy Award in 2017 (Konstantinos Ktenas Award) for
her publication in Nature Communications on the geology of Greece. In addition, she was awarded the Geological Society of Greece Prize in 1998 and received field research grants from IGCP585 to attend the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assemblies in 2012 and 2013.
In parallel to her scientific research, Professor Nomikou has been an influential figure in volcanology education and outreach. She organizes annual summer schools for university students in Milos, Nisyros, and Santorini, and conducts field education programs for high school students in Santorini and Nisyros.
