The largest of these tremors, registering a magnitude of 5.2, has raised fears among locals and tourists alike. In response, approximately 11,000 people were evacuated from the island by sea, with ferry operators and airlines assisting in the effort.
Santorini, a popular tourist destination known for its iconic white and blue buildings, is part of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea. The islands have a dark and dangerous volcanic history stretching back 650,000 years.
Though earthquakes are common in the region, the frequency and intensity of the recent quakes have caused widespread concern. Authorities have also noted the risk of larger tremors that could potentially trigger a tsunami.
The 1956 Earthquake and Tsunami Memories Resurface
The recent earthquake swarm has drawn comparisons to the Great Amorgos Earthquake of 1956, which caused a deadly tsunami. That disaster claimed the lives of 54 people and destroyed entire villages. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged citizens to remain calm, as authorities have put in place relief measures, including setting up tents in basketball courts and sending push notifications advising people to stay clear of areas susceptible to rockslides.
Scientific Perspective on the Earthquakes
Despite concerns, experts have ruled out a repeat of the 1956 earthquake. Researchers explained that the current quakes are a result of tectonic shifts rather than volcanic activity. Seismologists note that the quakes are occurring in a small area, which doesn’t fit the typical pattern of a mainshock-aftershock sequence.
Santorini, though a volcanic island, is not believed to be the source of the current earthquakes. The quakes are instead related to a tectonic process that is difficult to predict and could either taper off or escalate further. The tectonic shifts have resulted in spiderweb-like fault zones and volcanoes, both below and above water.
The Aegean’s Tectonic Activity
The region’s earthquakes are a result of tectonic movement in the Aegean Sea. The deep Hellenic Trench to the south and west of Greece, where an ancient piece of oceanic crust is descending into the mantle, is known for causing seismic activity. The ongoing stress from this movement is pulling Greece apart, leading to fault zones and volcanic formations in the region.
Santorini itself has a long history of volcanic activity, including major eruptions like the one in 1560 B.C., which contributed to the collapse of an ancient civilization. Though the island’s volcanic activity remains active, current scientific assessments suggest that the quakes are not related to volcanic eruptions, but rather to tectonic forces at play.
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