A series of earthquakes has hit the Greek island of Santorini, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate. The quakes, ranging from magnitude 3 to 5, have caused concern among authorities and scientists. While no formal emergency evacuation order has been issued, a coast guard vessel and military landing craft are on standby in case of an emergency.
Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, with around 20,000 residents and millions of foreign visitors each year. The earthquakes have caused widespread anxiety among residents, who have fled the island due to the continuous tremors. “For three days now, there have been earthquakes all the time, every five minutes,” said Tzanis Lignos, a 35-year-old resident who left the island with his family.
Experts warn that while the current earthquake activity is not connected to a volcanic eruption, it’s impossible to predict when or if another significant quake will occur. “In our country, we have not seen anything similar with so many earthquakes of this magnitude,” said Vasilis Karastathis, director of the Geodynamic Institute of Athens.
Rescue teams have been deployed to Santorini since Sunday, and authorities have banned public events and access to certain areas. Over 11,000 people have left the island since Friday, with around 7,000 leaving by ferry and 4,000 by plane. The situation remains uncertain, but officials urge residents to remain calm and follow official instructions.
Santorini’s volcano is active, but scientists do not expect the earthquakes to trigger an eruption. “What we must realize is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years,” said Efthymis Lekkas, head of the Hellenic Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization. The last explosion occurred in 1620 B.C., which destroyed part of the island and gave it its current crescent-like shape.
For now, authorities are monitoring seismic activity and advising residents to stay vigilant. As the situation develops, officials will reassess the situation and provide further updates.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-of-earthquakes-have-hit-the-greek-island-of-santorini-this-week-prompting-residents-to-flee-heres-whats-been-happening-182312314.html