Santorini, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is facing a serious geological threat. A recent spike in seismic activity has raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake, leading to the evacuation of as many as 9,000 residents and tourists.
Though no major damage has been reported so far, the fear of a major earthquake has led to emergency measures. Hundreds of people boarded a ferry on Tuesday morning, leaving for the Greek mainland.
“Everything is closed. No-one works now. The whole island has emptied,” an 18-year-old local resident told Reuters news agency before boarding the vessel.
Over the past few days, more than 300 undersea earthquakes have been recorded in the area surrounding Santorini. These tremors, many with magnitudes over 4.5, have caused widespread alarm among the island’s inhabitants and visitors. The frequency and intensity of the quakes have led experts to believe that a larger seismic event could be imminent.
In response to the escalating situation, Greek authorities have deployed emergency crews to Santorini and several nearby Aegean Sea islands. Schools have been closed, and residents have been advised to avoid large indoor gatherings and areas prone to rockslides. Mobile phones on the island have been blaring alert warnings, and access to certain seaside areas has been restricted.
The fear of a major earthquake has prompted many residents and tourists to seek safer locations. Travel agents have reported a surge in demand for plane and ferry tickets off the island. Hotels have been instructed to drain their swimming pools to reduce potential building damage in the event of a quake. Emergency gathering points have been set up in Fira, Santorini’s main town, to accommodate those who need to evacuate.
While Greek experts have stated that the current quakes are not linked to Santorini’s volcano, they acknowledge that the pattern of seismic activity is cause for concern. The island sits on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, a chain of islands created by tectonic plate movements, making it a highly seismically active region.
Santorini has a long history of seismic activity and volcanic eruptions, the most famous being the Minoan Eruption (circa 1600 BC), one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, that devastated the island and contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization. It created the island’s current caldera and caused a massive tsunami that affected surrounding regions.
In modern times, on July 9, 1956, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck near Santorini. It caused significant damage, resulting in 53 deaths, dozens of injuries, and extensive material damage. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami that affected several nearby islands.
Santorini’s geological activity is closely monitored due to its history of powerful seismic and volcanic events. The island’s unique geological features, though stunningly beautiful, pose a continuous threat to its safety and the combination continues to attract both scientific interest and tourism.
