The remaining residents on the island of Santorini and the nearby isles are feeling unsettled as the Santorini earthquakes and the nearby islands in the Cyclades continue to experience seismic activity. Two earthquakes measuring 4.7 and 5.0 on the Richter scale struck Amorgos within just 10 minutes of each other on Sunday, according to the National Observatory of Athens’ Geodynamic Institute.
The stronger 5.0-magnitude tremor occurred five minutes after 9 p.m., with an epicenter in the sea, 21 km southwest of Arcesine, Amorgos, approximately 226 km southeast of Athens. The earlier 4.7-magnitude quake, recorded at 8:53 p.m., had an epicenter 21 km south-southwest of Arcesine, Amorgos, about 230 km southeast of Athens.
(ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΤΖΟΥΜΑΣ/EUROKINISSI)
Residents Flee as Schools Remain Closed
Over the past week, many island residents—particularly in Santorini and Amorgos—have fled the islands due to the ongoing tremors. Schools in Santorini, Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos will remain closed for another week, at least until Friday, February 14.
Authorities are set to re-evaluate the situation on Tuesday during a meeting scheduled for 6 pm. Experts will assess the safety of school buildings and consider further measures to address the situation. Initial inspections by technical teams have already deemed schools in Santorini and Amorgos structurally safe.
Underwater Seismographs to Provide Key Data
Scientists are turning to underwater seismographs in the Santorini Caldera to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing seismic activity. According to Professor Evi Nomikou from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the research team is expected to retrieve data from these seismographs starting Monday, weather permitting.
This data will be analyzed alongside information from land-based seismographs to better understand the mechanisms driving the tremors. However, Nomikou reassured the public that the seismic activity northeast of Santorini is not linked to a volcanic eruption.
ΣΑΝΤΟΡΙΝΗ. ΚΑΛΝΤΕΡΑ (ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΕΣ ΑΡΧΕΙΟΥ) Σάββατο 1 Φεβρουαρίου 2025 (ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ ΚΟΝΤΑΡΙΝΗΣ / EUROKINISSI
Further studies are planned for March when foreign oceanographic vessels will arrive in Greece to collect additional data on the seismic patterns.
Businesses Worry as Tourism Season Approaches
As the peak tourist season nears, business owners in the Cyclades, particularly on Santorini, are increasingly concerned. Many have been forced to halt preparations for reopening their establishments due to the ongoing earthquakes.
According to exclusive reports from MEGA, a preliminary meeting between relevant government ministries has already taken place, and support measures for Santorini are expected to be announced soon.
