ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A recent spate of seismic activity near the picturesque Greek island of Santorini has prompted authorities to take swift action, including the closure of schools, deployment of search and rescue teams with trained sniffer dogs, and issuance of safety instructions to residents, such as a precautionary measure to empty their swimming pools. While seismologists have clarified that the over 200 tremors experienced in the region since early Friday are not directly linked to the volcanic activity on Santorini, known for its historic eruption that ranks among the largest in human history, locals remain understandably anxious.
The most intense earthquake on record registered a magnitude of 4.6 and struck at 3:55 p.m. on Sunday, occurring at a depth of 14 kilometers (9 miles), according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. Following this, a series of aftershocks, including several above magnitude 4 and numerous around magnitude 3, have continued. Thankfully, there have been no reports of significant damage or casualties resulting from these tremors.
Collaborative efforts between earthquake experts and officials from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, alongside the fire service, have been ongoing, culminating in the decision to suspend classes on Monday across Santorini and neighboring islands Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios. Subsequently, residents and hotel proprietors in Santorini have been advised to drain their swimming pools to mitigate potential risks associated with high water volumes destabilizing structures in the event of a powerful earthquake.
A further strategy meeting took place on Sunday night at the prime minister’s office, with the attendance of the chief of Greece’s armed forces and other key officials. In a proactive measure, the fire service has deployed a team of rescuers, including a specially trained sniffer dog, setting up temporary shelters in open areas for potential emergency response requirements.
Local inhabitants have been cautioned to avoid hosting large outdoor gatherings and to exercise caution while moving around the islands due to the risk of rockfalls. Notably, all four islands feature steep cliffs, with Santorini’s main town predominantly constructed on a cliff face. While experts acknowledge the inherent unpredictability of seismic events, they have indicated the potential for a quake measuring up to magnitude 6 in the area.
Noteworthy seismic activity has also been documented within Santorini’s volcanic caldera, primarily submerged underwater, since September. The most powerful tremor, measuring magnitude 3.8, occurred on January 25. Subsequently, seismic movements within the volcano have notably subsided, as per expert assessments.
The cataclysmic eruption of the Santorini volcano around 1600 B.C. had a profound impact, resulting in widespread devastation on the island, the burial of a town, and triggering massive earthquakes and flooding that reverberated as far as Crete and Egypt. Estimates suggest that approximately 41
