Dr. Tom Pfeiffer (born May 15, 1970) is a German volcanologist, volcano photographer, and founder of VolcanoDiscovery. His doctoral research focused on the Minoan eruption of Santorini. Since 1997, he has organized and led hiking, study, and volcano expeditions worldwide. Tom has worked at volcano observatories in Hawaii and at Mount Vesuvius and is internationally recognized as a leading volcano photographer. His photo book Volcano Discoveries (2015) is considered one of the most important publications in volcanic photography.

He speaks several languages, including German, English, Greek, Danish, and Italian. On Santorini, he discovered an olive tree embedded in the island’s pumice deposits, helping to date the Minoan eruption to around 1640 BC.

Since 1997, Tobias Schorr and Tom Pfeiffer have frequently guided joint volcanological hiking and study tours on Methana, Milos, Santorini, and Nisyros.

Dr. Tom Pfeiffer and his colleagues have been researching the volcanic island of Santorini — and many other volcanoes — for many years. Especially in 2025, it became clear how crucial monitoring the Santorini volcanic system is. It is now certain that magma is still rising beneath the region. Thousands of earthquakes have occurred between Santorini and Amorgos.

This research helps make volcanoes somewhat safer: scientists can detect changes and allow precautions to be taken in time. Of course, there will never be 100% safety, but especially such a highly touristic place as Santorini must be closely monitored and protected. In an emergency, every hour counts.

Emergency plans for Santorini already exist, and although there is currently no immediate danger, continuous observation remains essential.