ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The eminent seismologist of the Greek government has disclosed that the frequency of earthquakes impacting Santorini and its surrounding islands has lessened in recent days. However, the forecast for ongoing tremors in the upcoming weeks remains ambiguous.
“Regrettably, we are in a period of waiting. These sequences of seismic activities do not conclude swiftly. They adhere to their own timeline,” seismologist Costas Papazachos conveyed to state-controlled ERT radio on Monday.
“Hopefully, this specific sequence will astonish us in a positive manner and resolve itself sooner rather than later,” he added.
A state of emergency has been proclaimed on Santorini and the neighboring islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi following a series of underwater earthquakes this month – at times perceptible every few minutes – leading to the relocation of thousands of residents and workers to the Greek mainland.
Educational institutions on the islands remain shut for a third consecutive week, while security forces have established rescue teams and backup power generators as a precautionary measure.
On Monday, the government publicized the establishment of an emergency port facility on Santorini in the event of a large-scale evacuation.
Papazachos, a geophysics professor at the University of Thessaloniki, presently serves as the spokesperson for two emergency committees comprising of scientists and officials from the government, military, and emergency services.
He clarified that Santorini, a volcanic island shaped by catastrophic eruptions, is not in peril from its dormant volcano but pointed out that magma is influencing the seismic activities.
“The fundamental cause of the activity is the interplay of tectonic and magmatic processes,” he elucidated. “However, this does not guarantee that the molten material – the magma – will penetrate 8 kilometers (5 miles) of crust and ascend to the surface, instigating a new volcanic eruption.”
According to Papazachos, scientists are piecing together a more comprehensive understanding after collecting data from numerous sensors.
“We are monitoring not only seismographs but a multitude of other systems that monitor ground deformation, gas emissions, and satellite data,” he stated. “Currently, I can affirm that we lack a conclusive forecast as it is too early to evaluate the present modest de-escalation of seismic activity. Numerous surprises have arisen.”
Earthquakes reaching up to magnitude 5.1 were registered on Monday in the underwater region bordered by the four islands under a state of emergency.
