Strongest earthquake yet hits Santorini amid seismic crisis

Santorini, Greece, has recently been hit by a strong earthquake, with a shallow earthquake of magnitude 5.3 occurring recently, making it the strongest in the island's recent seismic activity. Athens also felt the tremors on Monday evening, with the epicenter at a depth of 17 kilometers. This seismic event has raised concerns about potential aftershocks and their impact on the island.

Residents of the neighboring island of Amorgos remain on high alert following a moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.0 between the two islands on Sunday evening. This tourist hotspot has been affected by seismic activity since January, and the Athens University Seismological Laboratory has detected more than 12,800 earthquakes. The ongoing seismic activity underscores the need for continued monitoring and preparedness.

Due to the frequency and intensity of the earthquakes, landslides have occurred in many areas of Santorini, and experts have not ruled out the possibility of a major earthquake. Some residents have begun patrolling dangerous areas to deter tourists from taking pictures on cliffs. Seismologists were initially optimistic that the earthquake intensity was weakening, but now fear the situation is deteriorating. The state of emergency in Santorini will last until at least March 3rd. These measures aim to protect both residents and visitors from potential hazards.

Sunday's earthquake was preceded by three smaller earthquakes above magnitude 4.0, and three more above magnitude 4.0 occurred on Monday morning. Inspections revealed no damage to buildings on Santorini and Amorgos. Thousands of earthquakes have occurred since January 26, but no injuries have been reported, although more than 11,000 people have left the islands. The lack of structural damage is a positive sign, but the evacuations highlight the public's concern.

Kostas Papazachos, a professor of seismology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told Greek broadcaster ERT that authorities must allow the situation to continue for most or all of February. "Let's hope that we will slowly move towards a gradual de-escalation," he said. "We will have to be a little patient and see. Let's hope that in a few weeks this phenomenon will start to subside." He stated that the possibility of a major earthquake has not been completely ruled out. His comments emphasize the uncertainty and the need for continued vigilance.

Meanwhile, the Viking Star cruise ship, carrying 893 passengers and 470 crew members, docked at Souda Port in Crete early Monday morning. It was originally scheduled to be the first cruise ship of the season to Santorini. The ship changed its itinerary mainly to avoid overcrowding of the Santorini cable car during the seismic activity. This decision reflects the impact of the earthquakes on tourism and transportation.

Since the seismic activity began, the strongest earthquake prior to the recent one was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake that occurred on Thursday. A magnitude of 6 or higher is considered severe. Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, but scientists are puzzled by the current earthquake "swarm" that is not associated with a major impact. Santorini is located in what is known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, a chain of islands formed by volcanoes, but the last major eruption occurred in the 1950s. Greek authorities have stated that the recent earthquakes are related to tectonic plate movement rather than volcanic activity. Scientists cannot predict the exact time, size, or location of earthquakes. This lack of predictability underscores the challenges in managing earthquake risks.

From January 26 to February 8, 2025, the Athens University Seismological Laboratory (SL) recorded more than 12,800 earthquakes in the Santorini-Amorgos region. This high number of seismic events highlights the intensity of the current earthquake swarm.