A seismic crisis continues on the Greek island of Santorini.
Swarms of low-magnitude earthquakes began in the region as early as January 24. This did not alarm the local population or tourists, as Greece is in a seismically active zone where earthquakes are not uncommon.
However, starting February 1, the frequency and magnitude of tremors increased sharply, and just three days later, Santorini was shaking every few minutes.
In the first four days of February, nearly 31,000 tremors were recorded in the region. On February 5, after a 5.3-magnitude earthquake, a state of emergency was declared on the island.
At least 11,000 people fled in haste using ferries, planes, yachts, and even small tour boats. Due to the large number of people wanting to evacuate, additional flights and ferry routes were arranged. The developing storm temporarily halted small boat traffic, further complicating the situation.
Despite the strength of the earthquakes, no significant destruction has been recorded so far. However, landslides have occurred in some areas, and authorities warn that these processes may intensify.
In case of an escalation, coast guard and military ships are stationed offshore. Firefighters and medics from other parts of the country have arrived on the island.
Seismologists note an unusual pattern in the earthquakes: instead of gradually subsiding after the first strong tremor, as has happened before, activity continues to increase.
Santorini is located atop an active volcano that last erupted in 1950. Nearby lies the underwater Kolumbo volcano. The earthquakes are occurring in close proximity to them, along a tectonic fault.
All these factors raise concerns about the possible activation of the volcanoes and the occurrence of a powerful, destructive earthquake followed by a tsunami.
The consequences of this natural event could affect not only Greece but also neighboring countries.
The planetary climate crisis is intensifying. For information on the projected development of geodynamic processes in 2025, see the report “A Brief Analysis of the Climate Situation”.