Scientists have recorded several thousand earthquakes, primarily of minor magnitudes, in just over a fortnight near Santorini, a volcanic island in Greece, according to a report from the crisis management committee at the University of Athens. Authorities have expressed concerns about the unusual seismic activity that began in late January, indicating that a larger earthquake could potentially occur.
In response to this notable surge of seismic events, officials have declared a state of emergency on Santorini, which is among Greece’s top tourist attractions. Authorities have deployed rescue teams, equipped with drones and trained dogs, and have prepared coast guard and navy assets on standby. Many residents and tourists have evacuated the island, and schools across Santorini and neighboring islands have been mandated to close for the week.
To bolster the local medical response, additional doctors and paramedics have been dispatched to Santorini’s hospital. Six specialized disaster medicine teams are positioned to assist as needed. On Tuesday, medical personnel carried out an evacuation drill simulating a real emergency, maneuvering stretchers with actors posing as victims. Marios Themistokleous, the Deputy Health Minister, emphasized the importance of readiness for natural disasters, stating, “The preparation of our health facilities for natural disasters such as earthquakes is of vital importance.”
Seismologists are actively monitoring the cluster of earthquakes occurring between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos. They are investigating whether the repeated seismic events, which average between magnitude 3 and slightly above 5 daily, could indicate an impending larger earthquake or if this pattern of minor quakes will persist for several weeks or months. Since January 26, the committee has documented around 12,000 earthquakes with magnitudes exceeding 1, including 109 occurring on just Monday.
Among those, thirteen earthquakes recorded on Monday surpassed magnitude 4, and more quakes of similar intensity struck on Tuesday. The most significant quake thus far registered a magnitude of 5.2 on Monday evening, followed by another quake of magnitude 5 a couple of hours later. The committee remarked, “The possibility of a main earthquake following cannot be ruled out.”
Additional monitoring equipment has been deployed to the area by scientists on Tuesday. Meanwhile, seismologists and volcanologists are scheduled to meet with government representatives to discuss the ongoing situation as part of regular assessments.
Greece is known for being in a seismically sensitive region where earthquakes frequently occur. However, it is uncommon for a specific area to experience such a concentrated series of earthquakes over an extended time frame. Santorini is renowned for its iconic crescent shape, formed by a massive volcanic eruption in antiquity—one of the largest eruptions documented in human history. Today, the island attracts millions of visitors who come to view its stunning landscape of whitewashed buildings and blue dome churches adorning the caldera’s edge, a remnant of the volcano that erupted and subsequently collapsed.