04.02.2025 07:40
More than 500 earthquakes occurring in the Aegean have caused concern in the region, with many Greek islands, especially Santorini, shaken by the earthquake storm. Schools were closed due to tsunami warnings and emergency declarations for volcanic eruptions, while authorities advised people to avoid outdoor activities as well as the sea and pools. Additional ferry and flight services were arranged for evacuations.
A seismic storm is occurring in the Aegean Sea. In the past week, more than 400 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 4.8 have occurred in the region. The earthquakes were felt in various parts of Turkey as well. While Greece is on high alert due to the earthquakes, tents are being set up in the open-air stadium in Santorini, and police and firefighters are on standby. Special disaster response teams and search dogs are being kept ready.
"STAY AWAY FROM THE 4 SMALL PORTS" WARNING Residents of the island have been advised to avoid large outdoor events and to stay away from four small ports, especially Fira Port, which serves cruise ships. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis called for calm among the public following the tremors. Home and hotel owners were instructed to empty their swimming pools due to concerns that large amounts of water could destabilize buildings in the event of a severe earthquake. Ferry companies reported an increase in the number of foreign workers leaving the island. The UK government's travel advisory referenced guidelines published by the Greek Civil Protection Ministry regarding the earthquakes. Greek media reported the latest situation regarding the series of earthquakes in the Aegean Sea with expert commentary.
"WE EXPECTED A GRADUAL DECREASE, BUT THE OPPOSITE IS HAPPENING" Speaking to Kathimerini newspaper, Vassilis Karastathis, Director of the Greek Geodynamic Institute, stated that a large number of earthquakes were recorded on February 1-2, both in frequency and magnitude, many of which exceeded a magnitude of 4. Karastathis said, "What we aimed for was a gradual decrease in seismic activity, but the exact opposite is happening right now." According to Karastathis, the attention of seismologists has shifted from the Caldera to the Anudros region, where the activity is entirely attributed to tectonic causes. He emphasized that comparing these tremors to the 1956 earthquake is risky. The earthquake centered in Amorgos on July 9, 1956, had a magnitude of 7.8, resulting in the deaths of 54 people and the destruction of 35% of buildings.
"THE HARDEST PART IS THE LOUD HUM HEARD BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE" The Mayor of Anafi, Iakovos Rousos, made the following statement after the tremors: "Stay calm. We are a small island, we know each other, we are all together. We are shaken many times during the day, and it is getting stronger every day, but the hardest part is that loud hum we heard intensely last night before the earthquake." Rousos stated that when the Amorgos fault caused a major earthquake in 1956, the damage on the island was minimal, and he mentioned that a team from the National Observatory of Athens would go to Anafi and Amorgos to install new seismographs on the islands. The mayor added, "Ours will be placed at the Anafi helicopter pad." Costas Papazachos, a professor of seismology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and chairman of the Santorini Volcano Study and Monitoring Institute (IMPIS), emphasized that "preventive measures have been taken" and stated, "There is no need to panic. However, it is crucial to adhere very carefully to measures and instructions, especially regarding crowding."
SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED According to the Greek Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, the largest earthquake that could occur is not expected to exceed 5.5 on the Richter scale. It was also emphasized that the tsunami risk is low, but citizens are advised to avoid areas close to the sea. The organization recommended the closure of schools in Santorini and the prevention of mass gatherings in enclosed spaces, and it was announced that schools would remain closed today. Additionally, citizens are advised to avoid entering and exiting Ammoudi ports and the Old Port of Fira for their safety in the event of stronger tremors. Especially in Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios islands, a team from the Special Disaster Medical Services, consisting of doctors and rescuers, has been reinforced.
"TAKE SCIENTISTS' EXPLANATIONS SERIOUSLY" According to a report in the Naftemporiki newspaper, Santorini Mayor Anastasios Zorzos stated in an interview with the island's local television channel Volcano TV, "These earthquakes reach up to 4.5 on the Richter scale, we are in constant communication with scientists, and they do not predict a major earthquake. Because the loading of the fault takes many years." He urged the island's residents and inhabitants not to be deceived by "exaggerated headlines" and to only consider valid updates from scientists. The report indicated that while seismic activity is continuous in the Cyclades Islands region, the most earthquakes have been recorded in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos.
As rescue teams reach Santorini, tents have also been set up. The tents are designed solely for the accommodation and operational needs of the teams that are on standby for all possible scenarios. Authorities are urging citizens to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading false news that could lead to unwarranted panic. Citizens are advised not to gather in enclosed spaces and to stay away from abandoned buildings. Kostas Papazachos, a geophysics professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, stated in an interview with ERT that there are "quite significant faults" in the region, emphasizing that the possibility of a strong earthquake cannot be ignored.
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"WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VOLCANOES." Natural Disaster Management Professor Efthimis Lekkas emphasized that the seismic activity is not related to volcanic areas. Volcanology doctor Stavros Meletlidis stated in an interview with Naftemporiki TV, "What we are currently seeing are some earthquakes concentrated in the Anydros basin, and these are quite far from the volcano." However, he also added: "When we talk about volcanoes, we should know that most earthquakes move horizontally, and their epicenters can move 10 to 20 kilometers. These are geological events that started hundreds of thousands of years ago, having no relation to the space and time we live in. While it may be easy for us to talk about an earthquake measured in seconds, these are events that last much longer over time." Meletlidis noted that currently no one can say for sure whether this will have an effect, stating, "There is a fault there, but we do not know if it will trigger other faults or if these earthquakes will return towards the island of Santorini."
ESCAPE IS IN FULL SWING On the other hand, the escape from the islands is continuing at a rapid pace. Following a series of earthquakes, the public is flocking to ferries to leave the region, and additional flights have been arranged for evacuations.
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