Greece’s popular tourist island of Santorini is under alert after a surge in seismic activity, with authorities warning visitors to avoid four ports and take precautionary measures. Over 200 tremors have been recorded since Friday, prompting experts to advise against gathering indoors and closing schools on Monday.
The civil protection ministry cited experts who assessed earthquake risks and monitored Greece’s volcanic arc, stating that the tremors are not linked to volcanic activity. Instead, they recommended staying away from certain ports, including Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and Fira harbour, which serves cruise ships.
A state of emergency was declared in Athens as authorities prepared for a potential evacuation. Tents were set up, police and firefighters on high alert, and special disaster response units stood by.
The situation is being closely monitored, with experts warning that the worst-case scenario could be an earthquake measuring 6.0 or more. However, they also noted that thermal energy may dissipate, resulting in a smaller quake.
Santorini’s steep cliffs, whitewashed buildings, and black-sand beaches attract around 3 million visitors annually. The island’s unique landscape was formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, which occurred around 1600 BC.
As Greece is prone to earthquakes due to its location on multiple fault lines, the authorities’ precautionary measures are aimed at ensuring public safety.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-issues-santorini-seismic-activity-warning-2025-02-02