The state apparatus remains on alert for intense seismic activity in the Cyclades, with scientists expressing little optimism about the course of the phenomenon. The largest tremor recorded late last night was of the magnitude 5,2 Richter scale, southwest of Amorgos, while the risk of landslides in Santorini remains active, due to the special geological conditions of the island.
The seismic sequence remains consistently dense, as a barrage of tremors was also recorded during the night. Scientists analyzing the data speak of a slow process that seems to gradually dissipate the seismic energy with medium-sized earthquakes. According to data published by the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, six more weak seismic tremors were recorded (4,4, 4,3, 4,2, 4,4, 4,5 4,2 on the Richter scale) between 04:00 and 05:30. The earthquakes originate from numerous epicenters with focal depths of 2 to 18 km and have now shifted from Santorini to the island of Anhidro.
In a broad meeting held yesterday at the Ministry of Civil Protection, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on residents and visitors to the islands to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.
Guided by science, the civil protection actions required for the safety of the residents will be undertaken, the Prime Minister pointed out. "I think it is clear that the entire state apparatus has been mobilized. Many forces of the state apparatus have been moved not only to Santorini but also to the other islands, so that today we can be ready for any eventuality." Referring to the islanders, he said "I also understand the fear of what it means to be in a Santorini that is constantly shaking, to be calm, to cooperate with the authorities and the assessment of the evolution of the phenomenon will be daily."
Landslide risk
According to the research of the team of the president of OASP Efthimis Lekkas, the continuous vibrations combined with the geological profile, the high traffic and the intense construction in Santorini result in a risk of landslides in five points of the Caldera which develops in an area of 8X11 kilometers. The volcanic rocks are prone to erosion and require special management and maintenance works
"So the risk along the entire length of the Caldera slopes is high, but the risk is also high given that crowds of people gather at these points for at least 8 months every year," he said.
The dangerous spots are located in Athinios, Palios Limenas, Ammoudi beach, Armeni and Thirasia.
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One of the areas considered to be at high risk is the port of Athinios – Fira. This area receives over 1,5 million visitors per year. Some risk reduction projects have begun to be implemented but actions are needed to reduce the exposure of visitors.
The Old Port is visited by 2 million visitors per year and almost 1,5 million visitors use the cable car. In this area of high landslide risk, the steep slope of the ground plays an important role.
Another high-risk area is Armeni, below Oia. Intense landslides are already being recorded as there are large slopes in the area.
Below Oia there is Ammoudi, which is also considered an area of high landslide risk, because unregulated residential development is being recorded.
Finally, in Thirasia there was a landslide in April 2024, but no projects have been created to protect residents and visitors.
Special actions and technical projects are proposed for these areas: "an effort is being made to the extent operationally possible for the Greek state to show that it is there, that it supports and understands this crisis," said Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias.
At the same time, three active undersea volcanoes and 25 inactive ones exist in the sea area around Santorini and all are systematically monitored with undersea seismographs by a large oceanographic scientific team.
The good news is that seismic activity has not awakened the Columbo volcano based on measurement data, while they are also far from the Amorgos fault that caused the major earthquake in 1956. "You see that today's epicenters are much further away than the epicenters of 1956. So you see again that all the epicenters of the earthquakes are located in the area NE of Columbo, that is, in the area of the Anydros fault and are not located in the area of the Amorgos fault," emphasized volcanologist Evi Nomiko.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Digital Governance announced the operation of the new digital platform mysafetyplan.gov.gr, which is a tool for informing and guiding citizens in cases of earthquakes and other natural disasters and was implemented in collaboration with the National Observatory of Athens.
Through this initiative, citizens can locate safe temporary gathering places (shelters) throughout Greece, including island areas.
Information on the evolution of the phenomenon will be provided daily through civil protection.
Source: ertnews
