Emergency Units Arrive on Santorini as Earthquakes Raise Concerns
Dozens of minor earthquakes have been recorded in recent weeks on Greece’s island of Santorini, raising concerns about ongoing tectonic movements. In response, authorities have announced the closure of schools on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of children and teaching staff.
It is important to note that experts have downplayed the likelihood of an imminent volcanic eruption.
According to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, on Sunday morning, numerous tremors shook the broader area of the Cyclades.
The strongest earthquake took place at 09:22 local time (07:22 GMT). The tremor was 4.5 on the Richter scale.
More tremors had been recorded earlier, ranging from 3.6 to 4.1 on the Richter scale.
The epicenter of all these earthquakes is located in the area south of Arkesini on the island of Amorgos. The depth of the tremors is estimated to be between six and 13 kilometers.
More than 380 earthquakes have taken place after January 24th, experts say.
An emergency meeting will take place in the Maximos Mansion, the Greek Prime Minister’s office, at 7 PM on Sunday local time to assess the situation and coordinate the next steps.
Twenty-six members of the Greek Fire Brigade’s Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) are on standby in an outdoor area of the indoor stadium of Santorini.
According to local news website Cyclades24, the EMAK team has been deployed to the island as part of precautionary measures due to the recent seismic activity in the area.
The tents set up at the stadium are designated exclusively for the accommodation and operational needs of EMAK, which remains on high alert for any possible emergency.
Emergency measures in place
Residents and visitors to Santorini are advised to avoid large gatherings inside buildings and to stay away from abandoned structures.
Access to the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos and the Old Port of Fira should also be avoided.
Greece’s authorities also recommend people who are on the island to remove hazardous non-structural elements in buildings and drain water from swimming pools as precautionary measures.
When traveling within urban areas and on provincial roads, individuals are advised to choose safe routes, particularly avoiding locations with steep slopes where landslides may occur.
In the event of a strong earthquake, residents and visitors are advised to immediate evacuate from coastal areas.
The history of Santorini’s volcano
Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations. It is known for its iconic caldera, formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC.
The island has experienced a series of minor tremors, with magnitudes mostly below 3.5 on the Richter scale. Recent data indicates over 150 to 200 tremors since early January, with some concentrated near the northern end of the caldera.
While these quakes are not volcanic in origin and are attributed to tectonic activity, their frequency has raised concerns about structural safety and potential risks.
Seismologists and government officials in Greece have sought to reassure the public by emphasizing that there is no immediate threat of a major eruption or any other significant geological event.
However, precautionary measures, such as school closures and continuous monitoring by scientific teams, are being implemented to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors alike.
Experts compare the current situation to a similar seismic swarm that occurred more than ten years ago, between 2011 and 2012, which did not lead to an eruption but lasted several months.
Experts downplay concerns about Santorini earthquakes
Greece’s authorities alleviated concerns regarding the seismic activity at the Santorini volcano following a meeting of officials and scientists at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection on Wednesday.
Greece has a contingency plan dubbed “TALOS,” which was discussed after “an increase in activity that was recorded in the central fault of the volcano in Caldera . . . For this reason, the Scientific Committee is constantly monitoring the phenomenon, analyzing the data and updating the planning of the corresponding prevention actions,” an announcement released by the Greek authorities said last Wednesday.
The Santorini Caldera is a prominent geological as well as a tourist destination.
Millions of tourists visit every year and is celebrated for its stunning views, iconic whitewashed villages perched on its cliffs (such as Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli), and its ties to the Minoan civilization as well as the legend of Atlantis.
The caldera remains volcanically active, with Nea Kameni, a central island, housing a dormant yet closely monitored volcano.
Related: Scientists Ease Concerns Over Santorini Volcano’s Increased Activity
PR Newswire
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