A spike in seismic activity has raised concerns of a potentially powerful earthquake on the Greek island of Santorini, prompting some residents and travelers to evacuate as a preemptive safety measure.
More than 200 tremors were recorded over the weekend in the Aegean region between Santorini and Amorgos, the Ministry for Civil Protection said Sunday, February 2. Tremors reached magnitudes of up to 4.9 on the Richter scale in the northeast of Santorini on Monday.
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the batch of tremors as “a very intense geological phenomenon” and urged those on the island to “remain calm.” As a precaution, schools were closed and emergency crews were deployed to Santorini on Monday.
The US Embassy in Greece released a natural disaster alert for US citizens on Monday. “Following increased seismic activity, the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has issued advice for Amorgos, Santorini (Thira), Anafi, and Ios, including not to attend large indoor gatherings and to avoid old or abandoned buildings,” the alert says. “Additionally, the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection advises people to avoid the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira, and to choose safe routes when traveling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high. In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.”
While Greece’s position on multiple fault lines means the country often experiences small tremors and earthquakes across the mainland and islands, data on the University of Athens’ Faulty of Geology site show a significant increase in seismic activity. As of Monday, multiple tremors over a magnitude of 3 have been recorded around the Santorini-Amorgos region. Greek experts say the tremors are currently not linked to volcanic activity, the Associated Press reports.
The tremors have prompted some locals and vacationers to evacuate, with many choosing to leave the island altogether on ferries and flights. Greek carriers Aegean Airlines and SKY Express have added additional flights between Santorini and Athens to their schedules, with seats quickly selling out.
The embassy advises US citizens living in or traveling near affected areas to follow instructions from local authorities and monitor the local media and emergency alerts. For steps you can take to protect yourself in the event of an earthquake, the embassy recommends reviewing the official guide from the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
