Seismic Crisis on Santorini: Residents Brace for Uncertainty

Thousands of earthquakes have rocked Santorini, raising concerns among residents and leading authorities to declare a state of emergency.

In the last week, the picturesque island of Santorini has been shaken by a series of seismic events, leaving its 15,000 inhabitants and visitors on edge. As they brace for the unknown, many locals have made preparations, like stacking mattresses in living rooms, to cope with the disturbances. The situation became alarming after a 5.2 magnitude quake added to the tension on Wednesday, prompting about 75% of the island's population to evacuate and officials to declare a state of emergency.

Dr. Athanassios Ganas, research director of the National Observatory of Athens, emphasized the unusual nature of the ongoing seismic swarm, stating, "We have never seen something like this before in [modern times] in Greece." Santorini, which is situated on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, has a history of volcanic activity, but none have erupted since the 1950s. The recent increase in seismic activity began in the summer and escalated in January, suggesting a possible awakening of the dormant volcano beneath the island.

Dr. Margarita Segou from the British Geological Survey described the earthquakes as occurring in “pulses” each day, indicating that the pattern does not resemble typical mainshock-aftershock sequences. Residents wonder how long this seismic crisis will last, as experts remain uncertain whether the current tremors could be precursors to a larger quake.

While scientists are closely monitoring the ongoing activity, authorities have cautioned that the quakes could persist for weeks. Some islanders, however, are trying to remain resilient in the face of uncertainty. As one local stated, “For 500 years, this house has lived through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and it’s still standing.” As the situation develops, additional resources such as police units and military personnel have been deployed to ensure public safety on the island.