For the past several weeks, thousands of tremors have rattled the islands of Greece and its inhabitants.
Since Jan. 25, Santorini, located about 150 miles southeast of Athens, and surrounding islands have experienced thousands of small earthquakes, sometimes occurring every few minutes. Although most of the tremors were relatively minor, there were 160 tremors with a magnitude greater than four in the first several days of February. The seismic activity reached its height with a 5.2-magnitude earthquake northeast of Santorini on February 5. On the night of Feb. 9, residents of Athens felt a magnitude 5.0 earthquake, followed by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake in the same region late on Feb. 10.
Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, a series of islands formed by volcanic activity. The last significant eruption occurred in the 1950s. However, Greek authorities have indicated that the recent tremors are attributed to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity. The extent of the risk remains uncertain, with some experts downplaying the likelihood of a significant earthquake. They emphasize that the seismic activity is not connected to a dormant volcano on Santorini, ruling out the possibility of an eruption.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared a state of emergency on Feb. 6 and stated that every possible measure is being implemented. “We’re preparing for the worst while hoping for the best,” he said during a visit to the island of Santorini on Feb. 7, urging residents to stay calm. Local authorities are also advising residents to avoid indoor gatherings, review escape routes, steer clear of cliffs, and drain swimming pools to minimize potential structural damage to buildings in the event of a significant earthquake. In response to the shaking, authorities have closed schools and prohibited large indoor gatherings. Emergency personnel have been sent to the island, and landing craft are prepared for potential evacuations. Certain areas of Santorini have been sealed off due to concerns about landslides, and sandbags have been placed near coastal homes. The island’s inhabitants are also taking action as at least 13,000 of the island’s 15,500 residents, unsettled by the ongoing tremors, have departed in the past week, leaving the cobblestone streets largely empty.
As of Feb. 11, authorities have reported no injuries and only minimal damage, such as minor landslides. However, scientists are unable to predict the precise timing, magnitude, or location of earthquakes, so the outlook for Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular islands, remains relatively unclear.
(Sources: AP, BBC, NY Times)
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