Santorini has been struck by more earthquakes in the past 24 hours, just days after authorities declared a state of emergency on the Greek island. The tourist hotspot has seen thousands of quakes since Sunday, with residents beginning night patrols amid fears of looting and no major damage reported so far.
Greek officials have warned that the “seismic crisis” may last for weeks or even months, as seismologists struggle to predict when the activity will end. The recent earthquakes are believed to be linked to tectonic plate movements, rather than volcanic activity.
The state of emergency on Santorini has been extended until March 3, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urging residents to “stay calm and cooperate” with authorities. While no injuries have been reported, residents have raised concerns about the potential for a tsunami.
Experts say that the earthquakes are part of an unusual pattern known as “clusters,” which has puzzled scientists who cannot predict when or where the next quake will occur. The Hellenic Volcanic Arc, where Santorini is located, is prone to seismic activity, but the last major eruption occurred in the 1950s.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr46pnyq0p5o