In brief
Over 12,800 earthquakes have been recorded around Santorini since late January, as shallow quakes intensify and safety measures are enforced. Authorities maintain a state of emergency amid growing concerns about potential further seismic events.
Santorini faces heightened seismic activity, with a powerful 5.3 magnitude earthquake rattling the Greek island and its neighboring regions. The recent quake, which struck on Monday at a depth of 17km (10.6 miles), is among the most intense in recent weeks. Residents on the nearby island of Amorgos remain vigilant following the latest series of tremors, which follow a 5.0 magnitude quake recorded between the islands on Sunday.Since January, Santorini has experienced unprecedented seismic disturbances, with reports indicating over 12,800 earthquakes identified by the University of Athens' Seismological Laboratory. The frequent tremors have led some locals to monitor perilous areas, discouraging tourists from venturing onto precarious cliffs, while landslides have been reported due to the shaking.Despite concerns about potential major quakes, inspections have revealed no significant structural damage to buildings in Santorini and Amorgos, and no injuries have been reported. However, more than 11,000 residents have evacuated the islands, given the unrest. Schools across the affected regions have been closed until further notice.In response to the situation, a Special Disaster Response Unit is en route to Amorgos, equipped with specialized rescue vehicles, as teams conduct assessments of the electrical grids in affected locales. Kostas Papazachos, a seismology professor, urged patience as authorities monitor the quakes, signaling an uncertain outlook for the coming weeks.This seismic episode has led to changes in local tourism activities, most notably the cruise ship Viking Star, carrying 893 passengers and 470 crew, which redirected its route to avoid overcrowding caused by the tremors. The recent seismic unrest has spurred debate about the unusual clustering of earthquakes, with experts attributing the activity to tectonic shifts rather than volcanic events.Although Greece is historically vulnerable to earthquakes, this recent wave of seismicity remains puzzling for scientists, as there is no clear association with a single major event. Santorini, located within the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, has not witnessed a significant eruption since the 1950s. Authorities maintain that ongoing seismicity is linked to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity, leaving residents and experts alike monitoring the situation closely.
