A devastating series of earthquakes has struck the Greek island of Santorini, prompting a state of emergency and the evacuation of over 11,000 people.
A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Santorini after days of consecutive earthquakes. The decree will remain in effect until March 3 to address the emergency needs and manage the consequences.
Thousands Flee Santorini Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity
More than 11,000 people have already left the island, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 by air. The evacuees are mostly local residents and workers, as it is currently low season for tourism on the island.
Emergency Measures in Place to Mitigate Potential Damage
Due to the state of emergency, repairs to public roads and ports can skip usual bureaucratic requirements and begin immediately. Extra generators have arrived, and a backup telecommunications station is being set up at Santorini City Hall. Medical personnel sent from Naxos are also on standby to assist those who remain on the island.
Fears of Tsunami and Volcanic Crisis
Islanders fear a tsunami, with makeshift defences built along Monolithos beach in Santorini. There is also concern about a ‘volcanic crisis’ like the one that occurred in 1950s. Scientists cannot predict the exact timing, size, or location of earthquakes.
A tsunami is a series of ocean waves that are caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions.
These massive waves can reach heights of over 100 feet and travel at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour.
Tsunamis occur when the displacement of water creates a series of large ocean waves that radiate outward from the source.
The most destructive tsunamis are those that strike coastal areas, causing widespread flooding and damage caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions.
Government Response and Support Measures
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Santorini on Friday. “We have to be prepared for anything,” said Vasilis Karastathis, director of the Geodynamic Institute, who stated that seismicity continues at a high pace, with many earthquakes above magnitude 4. “The key is to stay calm and follow instructions,” emphasized Costas Synolakis, a professor of natural disasters, about the need for preparedness and caution.
Schools and Businesses Closed
Schools on Santorini and neighboring islands will remain closed until Friday, when authorities will decide whether they can reopen. Many businesses have suspended operations due to the state of emergency. The “Thira Chamber of Commerce has called for emergency support measures in line with those during Covid-19.”
Background Information
Santorini is located on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, but the last major eruption occurred in the 1950s. Greek authorities have stated that the recent tremors are related to tectonic plate movements, not volcanic activity. Earthquakes occur due to movement of tectonic plates in the earth’s crust, and areas near fault lines are more prone to seismic activity.
Earthquakes are a type of seismic activity that occurs when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust.
This energy release creates seismic waves that can cause the ground to shake, sometimes violently.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there are over 14,000 recorded earthquakes worldwide each year.
The severity of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale, which ranges from 0 to 10.
Earthquakes can be caused by various factors, including tectonic plate movement and volcanic activity.
