Earthquakes Shake Santorini: What’s Happening?

Have you been affected by the recent earthquakes on Santorini? If so, reach out to Taryn at Taryn.pedler@mailonline.co.uk.

Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, has been rocked by a series of earthquakes that have led the government to declare a state of emergency.

This declaration is expected to last for a month, as authorities deal with the fallout from the ongoing seismic activity.

Tremors and Their Impact

Since January 31, the island has been experiencing a range of tremors, including an intense 5.2-magnitude earthquake that hit on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, another quake, measuring 4.6 in magnitude, followed by a smaller 4.2 quake, shook the region.

These constant tremors have left both locals and visitors terrified, forcing the closure of schools, the evacuation of cliffside towns, and warnings about potential landslides.

Emergency teams, including the army, police, and fire services, have been deployed to ensure safety.

Locals have been advised to stay away from ports and avoid gathering indoors.

The state of emergency will remain until March 3, allowing officials to manage the situation.

Thousands Flee the Island

As the tremors continue, over 11,000 people have fled Santorini, with the seismic activity escalating to a point where tremors are being felt on a near-minute-by-minute basis.

Experts are raising alarms about the ongoing “seismic crisis,” which may signal the possibility of a stronger earthquake in the near future.

Despite the current quakes not causing major damage or injuries, the fear of a more destructive event has everyone on edge.

Some residents have even started taking matters into their own hands, reinforcing the beach areas with makeshift tsunami barriers in case the situation worsens.

The Government’s Response

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reassured the public, promising that emergency response plans are in place.

He has confirmed that both local forces and military resources have been sent to the island, ready to act as needed.

Seismologists have pointed out that these quakes are not linked to volcanic activity, despite Santorini’s location in the Hellenic Volcanic Arc.

The earthquakes seem to be driven by tectonic plate movements, which makes this sequence of tremors quite unique, as Greece is usually no stranger to seismic activity.

Experts believe this crisis could persist for weeks or even months.

Uncertainty and Tension Among Locals

While some experts suggest the underwater origin of these tremors lowers the risk of widespread destruction, there is still anxiety in the air.

Residents like Michalis Gerontakis have expressed the stress of living through such frequent quakes.

“I’ve never felt anything like this,” he shared.

“The anxiety is building, even though many of us try to hide it.”

Throughout the weekend, government officials worked with scientists to assess the situation, closing schools on nearby islands such as Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios.

The danger of rockslides has led to warnings to stay away from areas that could be affected.

Life on the Edge

For some residents, the constant shaking has become too much to bear.

Nadia Benomar, a tour guide who has lived on the island for nearly two decades, felt the tremors were different this time.

“It feels like this is something we’ve never seen before,” she said.

Seeking safety, she purchased a ferry ticket to Naxos, hoping to escape the tense atmosphere until things calm down.

Looking Ahead

The current tremors are being categorized as moderate, but anything above a 6.0 magnitude would be considered severe.

As the situation unfolds, those who remain on the island must prepare for the unknown, with no clear indication of when the quakes will end.

For now, Santorini remains in a state of alert, and its residents continue to face a tough and uncertain future.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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