Santorini residents on edge as more than 200 tremors rattle the island
- Santorini has experienced over 200 earthquakes since early Friday, raising alarms among residents and officials.
- Authorities have closed schools, advised draining swimming pools, and deployed emergency crews to ensure safety.
- While the tremors are not linked to volcanic activity, experts warn of potential larger seismic events.
In Greece, the popular tourist island of Santorini has faced a significant increase in seismic activity, with over 200 earthquakes occurring since early Friday. The strongest tremor recorded was a magnitude of 4.6 at a depth of 14 kilometers, prompting authorities to take immediate precautions, including closing schools and advising residents to drain their swimming pools to minimize building damage in case of a larger quake. This has caused considerable concern among both locals and tourists as tremors continued throughout the weekend and into Monday. Emergency crews, including rescue teams with sniffer dogs, have been deployed to the island as a precautionary measure. Local officials have set up emergency measures, establishing gathering points for residents and preparing for potential evacuations should the situation escalate. Residents are also warned to avoid large gatherings and to stay vigilant as seismic activity remains a concern. Though earthquake experts clarify that these tremors are not related to Santorini's dormant volcano, they acknowledge that the risk level has increased, and the area is capable of producing significantly stronger earthquakes. The seismic activity reflects the tectonic nature rather than volcanic unrest, yet experts like prominent Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos caution that the combination of increased frequency and intensity of these tremors should be monitored carefully. Historic context reveals that the region has experienced cataclysmic volcanic eruptions in the past, further heightening local anxieties about potential future seismic events.