The Cyclades region continues to be in the "Richter dance". It is characteristic that 550 tremors have been recorded in the sea area between Santorini, Amorgos and Ios in the last three days with a magnitude of over 3 on the Richter scale and a maximum recorded of 4,9. Such a particularly noticeable tremor occurred at 04:46 in the early hours of Tuesday with an epicenter 20 kilometers South-Southwest of Arkesini, Amorgos.
The hundreds of earthquakes have brought disruption to residents and tourists, who are leaving Santorini by ship and plane. It was decided that schools will remain closed until Friday 07/02/2025 in Thira, Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, while yesterday the municipality of Tinos also decided to suspend the operation of school units and facilities today, Tuesday.
An inter-ministerial meeting will be held today at 9 am at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, with the aim of mobilizing the state mechanism due to seismic activity in the wider area of Santorini.
The meeting was convened by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, and will be attended by Local Authorities, Fire Brigade, ELAS, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, EKAB, as well as representatives of involved bodies (OASP, HEDNO, TEE, etc.).
Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5 at 08:00, a new joint meeting of the Committees (the Permanent Scientific Committee for Seismic Hazard Assessment and Seismic Risk Reduction and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc of the OASP) will take place.
It should be noted that the statistical assessment of earthquakes is expected to be further strengthened from this morning when the new recording stations in Anafi and Amorgos begin sending their signals.
Lekkas: Positive that seismic activity is limited to Amorgos
Speaking to ERTNews, Efthimios Lekkas, president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), located in Santorini, referred to the seismic activity in the Cyclades region and especially in the Santorini and Amorgos regions, emphasizing that it is not an activation of the fault that caused the great earthquake of 1956. "This fault was not able to cause a major earthquake because it released a lot of energy in 1956. It will take thousands of years for it to fill up with energy again. So we have the activation of smaller faults to the northwest of the Amorgos fault. The activity is limited near Amorgos, therefore this is a positive element, because Santorini is particularly vulnerable and vulnerable compared to Amorgos. "Amorgos has rocky formations, it has few buildings, we don't have a large area, so we are not worried, if these epicenters were close to Santorini, Santorini is characterized by completely opposite factors and parameters."
Recommendations
Authorities are urging citizens to
– avoid large gatherings inside buildings.
– avoid approaching abandoned buildings.
– avoid accessing and staying in the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfou and the Old Port of Fira.
– to proceed with the removal of dangerous non-structural vulnerability elements in their buildings (heavy hanging objects, false ceilings, etc.) and the emptying of water in swimming pools.
– to choose safe routes when moving within the urban fabric and the provincial road network, especially in places where there are sharp morphological gradients and landslides are likely to occur.
– there should be immediate evacuation from coastal areas in the event of strong seismic shaking.
With regard to informing citizens on earthquake protection issues, more information can be found on the websites of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (www.oasp.gr) and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr).
Earthquake protection instructions
Inside the house
Fix shelves and bookcases firmly to the walls. Move tall furniture away from doors that can tip over and block exit.
Screw the water heater and fuel and water tanks securely to the walls.
Place heavy items on the lower shelves.
Remove heavy objects from above beds and sofas.
Secure light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Identify well-guarded areas in each room of the house:
under sturdy desks or tables.
away from glass surfaces and bookcases.
away from external walls.
Check the proper operation of the electricity and gas supply network.
Inform family members about how to turn off the main switches for electricity, water and natural gas and about the emergency telephone numbers (112, 199, 166, 100, etc.)
Get a portable radio with batteries, a flashlight and a first aid kit.
Outside the house
Choose a safe post-earthquake meeting place that is:
away from buildings and trees
away from telephone and electrical cables.
What to do during an earthquake
If you are in the house
Keep your cool.
Lie under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk, desk), kneel and hold his foot with your hands.
If there is no durable furniture, kneel in the middle of the room, reducing your height as much as possible and protect your head and neck with your hands. Avoid large glass surfaces (windows, glass partitions) or furniture and objects that may injure you.
Do not try to leave the house.
Do not go out on the balcony.
If you are in a tall building
Move away from windows and exterior walls.
If you are in an entertainment venue, mall or department store
Keep your cool.
Stay in the area until the vibration is over.
Do not be fooled by the panicked crowd that moves erratically towards the exits because you risk being trampled.
If you are outdoors
Move away from areas under buildings, telephone or electrical cables.
If you carry a bag or briefcase, cover your head with them.
If you are in the car
Take refuge in the open and carefully stop the car so as not to obstruct traffic.
Avoid passing through tunnels, bridges or overpasses.
What to do after the earthquake
If you are in the house
Prepare for any aftershocks.
Carefully check yourself and those around you for possible injuries.
If there are seriously injured do not move them.
Evacuate the building from the stairwell (do not use the elevator), after first turning off the electrical, gas, and water switches.
Take refuge in an open and safe place.
Follow the instructions of the Authorities and do not pay attention to rumors.
Do not use your car unnecessarily so as not to become an obstacle to the work of rescue teams.
Use your landline or mobile phone in exceptional cases, as this causes overloading of telephone networks.
Do not enter your home if you see damage, cut cables, gas leakage or gas.
How to react to a tsunami
If you are in a coastal area with low altitude
Although not all earthquakes cause tsunamis, stay alert.
Observe if there is a significant rise or fall in the water level, which is a natural warning.
Move away from the sea and head inland with higher altitude. A small tsunami at one point on the coast can turn into a large tsunami, kilometers away.
Stay away from the coast. A tsunami does not consist of just one wave but of a series of waves so return only after being informed by the competent authorities that there is no danger.
Do not go near the shores to watch an incoming tsunami. By the time you see it, it may be too late to avoid it.
Source: ertnews
