Santorini, a Greek island known for its breathtaking scenery and rich history, has been shaken by a powerful earthquake that struck in the early hours of Monday morning. The 5.3 magnitude tremor is the strongest to hit the region since seismic activity began in January.
Strongest Earthquake Yet Hits Santorini Amid Seismic Crisis
Santorini has been hit by a powerful, shallow 5.3 magnitude earthquake, which is the strongest to strike the Greek island during recent seismic activity in the area.
Thousands of Quakes Hit Islands in Recent Weeks
The tremors were felt in Athens on Monday evening and measured a focal depth of 17km (10.6 miles). Residents of the neighboring island Amorgos remain on high alert after the latest tremor, which followed a moderate 5.0 magnitude earthquake between the islands on Sunday evening.
Seismic Activity Rocks Santorini Since January
The tourist hotspot has been rocked by seismic activity since January and more than 12,800 quakes have been detected by the University of Athens’ Seismological Laboratory. Some residents have been seen patrolling dangerous areas to deter tourists from taking photos on cliffs. Landslides have occurred in many parts of Santorini due to the frequency and intensity of the tremors, and experts have not ruled out a major earthquake.
State of Emergency Remains in Place
Seismologists were optimistic about the intensity of the quakes starting to subside, but are now concerned they are worsening. A state of emergency will remain in place on Santorini until at least 3 March. Sunday’s quake was preceded by three smaller ones of more than 4.0 magnitude, while the three on Monday morning were also more than 4.0.
No Injuries Reported, Thousands Leave Islands
Inspections found no damage to buildings in Santorini or Amorgos. No injuries have been reported as a result of the earthquakes, which have numbered in the thousands since 26 January, but more than 11,000 people have left the islands. Schools will remain closed on Santorini, Amorgos and several other islands on Monday and Tuesday.
Experts Warn of Potential Major Earthquake
Kostas Papazachos, a professor of seismology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told Greek broadcaster ERT that the authorities had to allow for the situation to continue for most or all of February. ‘Let’s hope that we will slowly move towards a gradual de-escalation,’ he said. ‘We will have to be a little patient and see. Let’s hope that after a couple of weeks the phenomenon will start to subside.‘ He said the possibility of a major earthquake had not been completely ruled out.
Kostas Papazachos is a renowned Greek seismologist who has made significant contributions to the field of earthquake science.
Born in 1936, Papazachos earned his Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Athens.
He is known for developing the Papazachos and Hristopulos (P-H) attenuation relations, which are widely used to estimate seismic hazard.
Papazachos has authored over 200 publications and has served as a consultant for various international organizations.
His work has helped improve earthquake risk assessment and mitigation strategies worldwide.
Cruise Ship Diverts Route Due to Seismic Activity
Meanwhile, the cruise ship Viking Star, with 893 passengers and 470 crew, docked at the port of Souda in Crete early on Monday morning. It was due to be the first cruise ship of the season in Santorini, but changed its route mainly to avoid cable car overcrowding in Santorini during the seismic activity.
Scientists Puzzled by ‘Clusters’ of Quakes
Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone countries, but scientists are puzzled by the current ‘clusters‘ of quakes which have not been linked to a major shock. Santorini is on what is known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, which is a chain of islands created by volcanoes, but the last major eruption was in the 1950s.
The Hellenic Volcanic Arc is a zone of subduction where the African Plate is being pushed beneath the Eurasian Plate.
This process creates a chain of volcanoes, including Santorini and Nisyros, which are part of the Aegean volcanic arc.
The region is characterized by high seismic activity and frequent earthquakes due to the movement of tectonic plates.
Volcanic eruptions occur periodically, with **Santorini's famous eruption in 1600 BC causing widespread destruction.
A seismology laboratory is a research facility that studies earthquakes and seismic waves.
These laboratories are equipped with advanced equipment, such as seismometers, to record and analyze seismic data.
They also employ scientists who specialize in seismology, geophysics, and related fields.
The primary goal of these labs is to understand the underlying causes of 'earthquakes', improve early warning systems, and develop more accurate seismic hazard assessments.
By analyzing seismic data, researchers can gain insights into 'plate tectonics', 'fault mechanics', and the internal structure of the Earth.
Greek Authorities Attribute Tremors to Tectonic Plate Movements
Greek authorities have said the recent tremors were related to tectonic plate movements, not volcanic activity. Scientists cannot predict the exact timing, size or location of earthquakes. From 26 January to 8 February 2025, the Seismology Laboratory (SL) of the University of Athens registered more than 12,800 earthquakes in the Santorini-Amorgos zone.
