Santorini Island in Greece Declared in State of Emergency Amidst Ongoing Earthquakes
The Greek island of Santorini has been placed in a state of emergency due to the ongoing seismic activity that has been affecting the island since late January. The island has experienced near-constant tremors, with thousands of earthquakes recorded, including a magnitude 5.2 quake that struck on Wednesday evening.
The recent earthquake was the strongest to hit the island, surpassing the 5.0 magnitude mark for the first time since the tremors began. Two larger tremors followed on Thursday, each exceeding a magnitude of 4.0.
Santorini’s history of earthquakes is significant, with a magnitude 7.5 tremor occurring in 1956 that resulted in the loss of at least 53 lives.
Here’s a summary of the current situation:
- Seismic Activity: Santorini has been experiencing near-constant tremors since January 27, 2025, with thousands of earthquakes recorded.
- Magnitude: The most powerful earthquake recorded so far has a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale, considered moderate.
- Epicentres: The earthquake epicentres are concentrated in a growing cluster between Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios islands, with seismic activity remaining concentrated between Santorini and Amorgos.
- Concerns: Authorities are preparing for a potential larger quake, as the tremors show no signs of easing. Landslide risks have also been warned, particularly in parts of the island.
According to Vassilis K Karastathis, a seismologist and director of research at the National Observatory of Athens, “We are not yet in a position to say that we are seeing any evidence that would lead to the sequence slowly coming to a conclusion.”
The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on the island, and authorities are working to ensure public safety and provide support to those affected by the ongoing seismic activity.
