Seismic activity down but schools stay shut in Greece

Seismic activity in the Aegean Sea hotspot of Santorini has been “decreasing” in recent days, but schools will remain closed for another week, according to authorities on the Greek island.

Thousands of earthquakes, mostly of low magnitude, have been recorded between Santorini and Amorgos, two islands in the Cyclades group southeast of the Greek mainland. While they have not caused casualties or significant damage, they have raised concerns among authorities and residents.

“Seismic activity in the maritime region between Thira (Santorini) and Amorgos is decreasing,” the Ministry of Civil Protection said in a press release late on Saturday following a meeting with the National Commission of Seismologists.

The ministry attributed the activity to a combination of tectonic movement and deep magmatic activity.

Experts note that the region has not experienced an event of this magnitude since records began in 1964.

Situated where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates converge, the Aegean Sea is prone to earthquakes.

Santorini, known for its spectacular volcanic caldera — a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses — is part of a volcanic arc that includes two underwater volcanoes near its coast, Nea Kameni and Kolumbo, which last erupted in 1950 and 1650, respectively.

Authorities stated that seismic activity inside the caldera remains similar to recent days, noting a decrease in the rate of local ground deformation.

The ministry said that preventative measures would remain in place and urged residents to stay alert to the risk of landslides.

Meanwhile, schools will remain closed until Friday on Santorini and the nearby islands of Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos. A ministerial assessment meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

Authorities declared a state of emergency in Santorini and Amorgos at the start of February for a month, leading to school closures and prompting many Santorini residents to leave the island, which saw 3.4 million visitors in 2023 amid concerns over over-tourism.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced a support package for local businesses and workers on the island, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations.

Seismic activity refers to the movement and release of energy within the Earth’s crust, typically caused by the shifting of tectonic plates.

This activity includes natural events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tremors.

It is measured using seismographs, and regions with frequent seismic activity are often located along fault lines or tectonic plate boundaries.

AFP