The picturesque island of Santorini, a jewel in Greece's Cyclades archipelago, is experiencing a series of frequent earthquakes, leaving both residents and visitors on edge. With tremors occurring every few minutes, local authorities are intensifying their emergency strategies in anticipation of a more significant seismic event.
Rescue operations are in high gear as teams equipped with sniffer dogs and drones patrol Santorini's vulnerable spots. In a bid to safeguard the public, authorities have restricted access to certain coastal areas and temporarily shuttered schools across the island and several other Cyclades locations. Moreover, public gatherings on Santorini have been prohibited as a precautionary measure.
The constant shaking has prompted an exodus, with thousands of people seeking refuge from the unsettling seismic activity. To accommodate the surge in departures, ferry and airline services have expanded their operations, although extreme weather conditions disrupted ferry routes on Wednesday. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is actively monitoring the situation, attending an emergency meeting at the Civil Protection Ministry in Athens for further evaluation of ongoing risks.
The epicenters of these earthquakes are situated beneath the seabed, between Santorini and the nearby Amorgos. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or substantial structural damage thus far. Apart from minor rockslides and cracks in older edifices, the sturdy infrastructure remains mostly intact.
Greece resides on one of the most seismically active regions globally, where earthquakes aren't a rare occurrence. However, the persistent nature of these tremors is uncommon, raising concerns about their implications. While the science of predicting earthquakes remains uncertain, experts continue to investigate whether these series of tremors might precede a more powerful quake, or if they represent an earthquake swarm with small to moderate shocks possibly persisting for weeks or even months.
Last week, heightened volcanic activity was observed within Santorini's caldera, the island's famed flooded crater, but scientists assured that it bears no relation to the current seismic phenomena. Additionally, they believe the activity is unlikely to ignite either of the two volcanoes in the area.
On the logistical front, preparations are underway to ensure essential services remain functional. Southeast Aegean's regional governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos confirmed that electrical service providers are deploying personnel and equipment to develop strategies against possible power failures. Digital Governance Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis emphasized collaboration with telecom companies to maintain communications even if network outages occur.
Santorini's latest string of earthquakes underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in earthquake-prone areas. Local officials are keen on keeping residents and tourists safe, reinforcing that precautionary measures are in place to respond swiftly to any escalation in seismic activity.
