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More than 10,000 people have fled the Greek island of Santorini by late Tuesday, shaken by a continuous series of earthquakes that have been striking since the weekend. While many are residents, some are visitors who’ve decided to leave after more than 50 earthquakes hit the island since Saturday, including several strong tremors.
The largest tremor recorded in the region occurred Tuesday afternoon at 3:04 p.m., registering a 5.0 on the Richter scale. Other strong earthquakes followed throughout the day, with some exceeding a magnitude of 4.5. The seismic activity continued into the early hours of the morning, with three more tremors recorded overnight, measuring 4.3, 4.0, and 4.0. These tremors were centered in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos, about 18 to 24 kilometers from the island.
“I lasted a week. I can’t anymore. I can’t sleep, and my legs are trembling,” said one resident, waiting in line to board a ferry. Others leaving the island weren’t as concerned. “It’s not because of the earthquake that I’m leaving; I’m going to Athens for some medical tests,” an elderly woman explained. But then, she added, “You know, this is worse than 1956,” referring to a deadly 7.7-magnitude quake that struck nearby Amorgos, killing 53 people.
The comparison to the 1956 quake isn’t lost on islanders, many of whom are concerned that the frequent tremors are just the beginning. “It feels like it’s getting worse every day,” said another local. Though the tremors have caused no major damage so far, there have been some minor rockfalls along the steep cliffs of the island.
Seismic Concerns: Is the Volcano to Blame?
With Santorini sitting atop two active volcanoes, many are concerned whether the earthquakes are linked to volcanic activity. Experts, however, have assured the public that the quakes are not connected to the island’s volcanoes.
“The earthquakes we’re experiencing right now are tectonic earthquakes, not volcanic,” explained Dimitris Papanikolaou, an emeritus professor of geology. “They’re being caused by the activation of tectonic faults in the region, and this sequence is moving east from Santorini toward the islet of Anydros,” he added.
Papanikolaou noted that while the earthquakes are strong, the fault line currently active is only about 20 kilometers long and could only produce a tremor of up to magnitude 6. The larger fault, which caused the 1956 earthquake, has not yet been activated.
As for the volcanoes themselves, experts remain cautious but optimistic. The volcano Kolumbo, located 6.5 kilometers northeast of Santorini, last erupted in 1650, and experts say it’s unlikely to erupt anytime soon. “It takes thousands of years for the right conditions to create an eruption,” Papanikolaou said.
Despite this, scientists are keeping a close watch on Santorini’s volcanic activity. Since August 2024, there have been signs of soil expansion near the island’s volcano, and micro-earthquakes of volcanic origin have also been recorded. However, experts emphasize that this doesn’t necessarily indicate an imminent eruption.
“We’re monitoring the situation with modern equipment,” said Evi Nomiko, a professor at the National University of Athens. “There’s a gas leak observed at Kolumbo, but that doesn’t mean an eruption is coming.”
What’s Next for Santorini?
As the tremors continue, residents are left wondering if and when the shaking will end. For now, it seems the earthquakes are linked to tectonic activity, not volcanic processes. But with so many quakes, the uncertainty is taking a toll on islanders. Many are choosing to leave while they can, hoping for some peace away from the constant shaking.
Experts continue to monitor the seismic activity closely, reassuring the public that there’s no immediate threat of volcanic eruption, but the situation remains fluid. For those still on the island, it’s a waiting game, hoping that the tremors will soon subside.
*With information from Kathimerini Greece
