### Santorini: Thousands of Earthquakes Signal Impending Disaster?
Santorini – the iconic Greek island, famous for its idyllic beauty – is shaking violently. Over the past few weeks, thousands of earthquakes have occurred, causing scientists and residents to worry: Is Santorini on the brink of a major disaster?
The last time the island made its mark on history was about 3,600 years ago, when one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded occurred. The event not only reshaped Santorini’s terrain but may have contributed to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Now, seismologists warn that the recent series of tremors could be a temporary phenomenon, an impending major earthquake, or even an early sign of volcanic activity.
#### Santorini: Located on One of the Most Dangerous Seismic Zones
The island sits on the Hellenic Arc – a tectonic boundary where the African plate slowly sinks beneath the Eurasian plate at a rate of 4-5 cm per year. This process not only creates frequent earthquakes but also feeds the magma chambers beneath, making Santorini one of the most dangerous geological hotspots in the Mediterranean.
The recent earthquakes have been linked to the Anydros Fault, a major geological structure located between Santorini and the island of Amorgos. The fault was responsible for a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in 1956, which triggered a devastating tsunami. Current tremors suggest that pressure is building up again, raising concerns of a major earthquake in the future.
#### Earthquake or Volcano Awakening?
Although scientists believe that this series of tremors is of tectonic origin, geological stress caused by the subduction of tectonic plates can still affect the volcanic system, potentially causing magma displacement. Santorini has a turbulent history with major eruptions, most notably the Minoan eruption, one of the largest volcanic events ever recorded. While there is no clear evidence of a similar eruption, the presence of magma chambers beneath the island remains a concern.
#### Thousands of Earthquakes and Growing Danger
Since January 31, 2025, hundreds of submarine earthquakes have been recorded around Santorini. Initially, they were only small tremors under magnitude 3, barely perceptible. However, their intensity and frequency have increased significantly, with thousands of earthquakes in recent weeks, including up to 30 a day above magnitude 4.0, most at depths of less than 10km – shallow enough to affect residents on the island.
The strongest earthquake to date was a magnitude 5.2 on February 5, felt as far away as Athens and even Turkey, more than 2,140km away. The situation has prompted the Greek government to declare a state of emergency and take a number of precautions, including closing schools, mobilising rescue teams and evacuating more than 11,000 people. However, scientists have yet to determine how long the series of earthquakes will last or whether it will lead to a larger disaster.
#### Three Possible Scenarios
1. **A weakening and ending earthquake sequence:** This is the most optimistic scenario, where pressure is gradually released without causing a major earthquake.
2. **A magnitude 6.0 to 7.0 earthquake:** If the pressure buildup exceeds the tolerance threshold, a major earthquake could occur, causing structural collapse, landslides, and even tsunamis.
3. **Increased volcanic activity:** Although scientists believe this shaking is primarily tectonic, the increase in earthquakes could trigger magma flows, leading to an eruption like the one in 1866-1870.
### What Happens If a Major Earthquake Happens?
Due to its unique topography with steep cliffs and dense settlements, Santorini could face serious risks if a strong earthquake were to occur:
– **Structure collapse:** Many of Santorini’s iconic houses and churches are structurally weak and were not built to modern earthquake standards. An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or higher could cause serious damage.
– **Risk of rockfalls and destruction of tourist infrastructure:** Hotels and roads on the cliffs could be damaged or collapse, greatly affecting the island’s tourism economy.
– **Transport disruption:** The main port of Athinios, located at the foot of the volcanic cliffs, could be damaged, making evacuation and resupply difficult. – **Tsunami:** If an undersea earthquake occurs, it can generate a tsunami, hitting low-lying areas such as Kamari, Perissa and Athinios port within minutes.
Santorini – Beauty with Hidden Danger
Vẻ đẹp lộng lẫy của Santorini che giấu một thực tế nguy hiểm: đây là một “quả bom địa chất” đang đếm ngược. Dù chuỗi động đất này có kết thúc trong yên bình hay là dấu hiệu của một thảm họa lớn hơn, Santorini vẫn luôn là một khu vực có nguy cơ cao.
Lịch sử đã chứng minh rằng thiên nhiên luôn khó lường, và việc theo dõi chặt chẽ cùng với sự chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng là điều cần thiết để giảm thiểu rủi ro. Liệu đây chỉ là một đợt rung chấn bình thường hay là lời cảnh báo cho một trận động đất hoặc phun trào sắp tới? Chỉ có thời gian mới có thể trả lời.
