In brief
Following a significant tremor, Santorini experiences a surge in earthquake activity, with authorities on alert as over 12,800 quakes have been recorded since late January. Despite the challenges, local residents maintain resilience, while neighboring islands remain vigilant.
In a worrying development for residents and tourists, Santorini has been hit by a potent 5.3 magnitude earthquake, marking the strongest in a series of seismic events impacting the island in recent weeks. The quake occurred at a depth of 17km (10.6 miles) and was felt as far away as Athens on Monday evening. Neighboring Amorgos is also under vigilance following another moderate 5.0 magnitude earlier that day.The island, a popular travel destination, has experienced a notable uptick in seismic activity since the end of January, with the University of Athens' Seismological Laboratory reporting an astounding 12,800 quakes within this short period. Concern has risen among residents who are now actively monitoring cliff areas to prevent tourists from capturing dangerous photos during these hazardous times.Frequent tremors have caused landslides across Santorini, raising alarms about the potential for a major earthquake despite seismologists initially expressing optimism that the frequency of quakes might decrease. However, new evaluations indicate a worrying uptick, leading authorities to maintain a state of emergency until at least 3 March.Recent seismic events included three minor earthquakes above a magnitude of 4.0 preceding the recent strong tremors, with inspections confirming the absence of structural damage or injuries in both Santorini and Amorgos. Nonetheless, the unrest has prompted over 11,000 individuals to evacuate the islands, and local schools will remain closed for the next few days.In a proactive response, a Special Disaster Response Unit has dispatched a specialized earthquake rescue vehicle to assist Amorgos, while technical teams are set to evaluate the local electricity supply. Seismology Professor Kostas Papazachos emphasized the need for patience during this tumultuous period, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding a potential major quake in the coming weeks.As a testament to the region's resilience, the cruise ship Viking Star, carrying nearly 1,400 guests, rerouted to Crete on Monday morning to avoid overcrowding issues in Santorini amidst ongoing seismic concerns. Scientists note that while Greece is historically earthquake-prone, the current surge has yet to be conclusively linked to major geological movements, as the country sits within the Hellenic Volcanic Arc—a region shaped by volcanic activity, with the last significant eruption occurring in the 1950s.
