How did the eruption of Thera contribute to the decline of Minoan civilization?

The theory that the eruption of Thera (c. 1500 BCE) directly caused the collapse of Minoan civilization was once widely accepted but has been challenged by modern archaeological evidence.1

While the eruption was a massive event that buried settlements on Thera under deep layers of ash and pumice, evidence suggests that Minoan culture continued to flourish on Crete for a significant period afterward. Archaeological findings indicate that the amount of volcanic ash reaching Crete was insufficient to cause widespread destruction to buildings or crops. Although the eruption likely caused earthquakes and tsunamis that damaged coastal settlements, these impacts appear to have been repaired without disrupting the broader course of local culture.21

The decline of the Minoans by the middle of the 15th century BCE is now attributed to a combination of factors rather than a single natural disaster. This decline involved a complex interplay of natural events, internal social or political disruptions, and the rising influence of the Mycenaean civilization from the Greek mainland, which eventually led to a new administrative order on Crete.34