Santorini is trembling under an unrelenting wave of earthquakes, keeping residents on edge and scientists on high alert. Overnight, multiple quakes above 4.0 magnitude rattled the islands, following a powerful 5.2-magnitude tremor that struck at 21:09. The epicenter, located 16 kilometers south-southwest of Amorgos, marks the strongest jolt yet in this ongoing seismic swarm, fueling concerns about what might come next.

Over 6,400 Earthquakes in 10 Days

The Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens reports that a staggering 6,400 tremors have been recorded in the Santorini-Amorgos zone over the past 10 days. On February 2 alone, more than 1,300 earthquakes were registered, while the number surpassed 1,400 the following day. Experts believe this pattern exhibits the characteristics of a seismic swarm. However, they warn that such activity could trigger the rupture of a major active fault in the region, leading to a mainshock followed by a typical aftershock sequence. If this occurs, the preceding tremors would retrospectively be classified as foreshocks.

High Risk of Landslides in Key Areas

Professor Efthymios Lekkas, President of the Earthquake Planning & Protection Organization (EPPO), has highlighted the significant landslide risk along Santorini’s caldera. During a press conference at the Ministry of Civil Protection, following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, he outlined five critical areas where precautionary measures are being implemented:

  • Santorini Old Harbor
  • Port Athinios and the surrounding road network
  • Ormos
  • Oia, particularly Ammoudi and Armeni
  • Thirasia, including the settlement of Korfos and the adjacent Monopati path
  • Three Possible Scenarios for the Ongoing Seismic Activity

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ ΜΠΟΛΑΡΗ/EUROKINISSI)

According to Professor Lekkas, three main scenarios are currently under consideration:

  1. If the intense seismic activity continues without a larger earthquake, the phenomenon may gradually subside over the next three to eight weeks.
  2. A moderate earthquake of up to 5.5 magnitude could occur, which would not cause significant damage but could lead to a swift resolution of the seismic activity.
  3. A more powerful earthquake, reaching up to magnitude 6.0, remains a low-probability scenario, while anything above 6.0 has been ruled out by experts.

No Signs of Volcanic Activation

Despite widespread concerns, Professor Evi Nomikou has reassured the public that there are no indications of volcanic activity in the Kolumbo underwater volcano near Santorini. While ongoing tremors remain unpredictable, she emphasized that current data does not support fears of an imminent eruption. Additionally, she urged people not to link the Anyhdros fault with the Amorgos fault, as the two are not directly connected