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Seismic Activity Near Santorini Triggers Precautionary Measures
A sequence of earthquakes has raised alarms around the Greek island of Santorini, prompting officials to take drastic measures, including the temporary closure of schools and the mobilization of rescue teams equipped with sniffer dogs. Authorities are also instructing residents to drain their swimming pools as a preventive action.
More than 200 tremors have rattled the region since early Friday. Although specialists in earthquake science assert that these seismic events are not linked to the volcanic activity in Santorini—renowned for one of history’s most significant eruptions—there is a prevailing sense of unease among local inhabitants.
The strongest earthquake recorded struck at a magnitude of 4.6 at 3:55 p.m. on Sunday, originating at a depth of 14 kilometers (9 miles), according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. This was followed by several tremors with magnitudes exceeding 4 and numerous others at magnitude 3. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries or infrastructural damage.
In an effort to address the situation, earthquake specialists, alongside officials from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the fire service, are convening daily discussions. As a result, schools on Santorini, as well as those on the nearby islands of Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios, will remain closed on Monday. In addition, leisure facilities such as hotels have been advised to empty their pools due to fears that large water volumes could weaken structures if a strong earthquake were to occur.
Another important meeting occurred on Sunday evening at the Prime Minister’s office, attended by the head of Greece’s armed forces and other relevant officials.
As a precaution, the fire service dispatched a team of rescuers, including a sniffer dog, to the island on Saturday and increased their presence on Sunday. The rescue operatives are currently set up in tents across open areas.
Local authorities are advising residents to abstain from large gatherings outdoors and to remain vigilant while traversing the islands due to the risk of rockfalls. The topography of the four islands includes steep cliffs, and significant portions of Santorini’s main town are perched on a cliffside.
Seismologists have indicated that while it is challenging to definitively predict if the ongoing seismic activities may culminate in a more intense quake, the region has the potential for a 6-magnitude earthquake.
Moreover, minor earthquakes have also been detected in the underwater caldera of Santorini’s volcano since September, with the most substantial event measuring 3.8 on January 25. Experts note that seismic activity within the volcano has diminished since that period.
The Santorini volcano is historically significant, having erupted around 1600 B.C., which led to catastrophic events including the obliteration of a town and provoking extensive earthquakes and flooding affecting regions as distant as Crete and Egypt. Researchers estimate that this eruption expelled approximately 41.3 cubic kilometers (9.8 cubic miles) of volcanic materials, resulting in 9-meter (29-foot) tsunamis impacting the coastal areas of Crete.
Due to its history of monumental eruptions and its location near densely populated areas, Santorini was designated as one of 16 volcanoes worldwide that require close monitoring during the 1990s.
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