Residents on Santorini faced yet another sleepless night as a relentless wave of seismic activity continues to rattle the Cyclades. Over the past three days, an astonishing 550 earthquakes have been recorded in the sea between Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios, with 36 tremors occurring overnight alone.

Latest and Strongest Quakes

Early Tuesday morning, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck at 4:46 a.m. between Santorini and Amorgos, with its epicenter located 20 kilometers south-southwest of Arcesine, Amorgos, at a depth of 14.3 kilometers, according to the Geodynamic Institute. This was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, measuring 4.2, 3.9, and 4.0 on the Richter scale.

Residents Flee the Island by the Tousands

Despite reassurances from seismologists, fear has driven thousands of residents to leave Santorini. In the past 24 hours alone, 2,000 people arrived in Athens, bringing the total number of those who have fled to over 5,000.

(ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΤΖΟΥΜΑΣ/ EUROKINISSI)

Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warned that the ongoing earthquake sequence could indicate foreshocks, meaning a stronger earthquake might still be imminent. Other experts noted that the activated fault zone northeast of Santorini could produce a quake of up to 6.0 magnitude.

Authorities Warn of Landslides

Authorities have banned access to the Ammoudi, Armeni areas, as well as the Santorini Old Harbor, warning of landslides due to the ongoing seismic activity, while an emergency 112 message was sent to the residents advising them to avoid these areas for their safety.

Scientists on High Alert

“The seismic activity is not decreasing; instead, it is accelerating,” said Vassilis Karastathis, Director at the Geodynamic Institute. Since February 1, over 240 earthquakes exceeding magnitude 3 have been recorded, including 39 above magnitude 4.

New seismic monitoring stations on Anafi and Amorgos are expected to provide additional data, aiding scientists in their analysis. However, concerns are growing as the pattern of tremors suggests the possibility of a larger earthquake.

Schools Closed as Safety Precaution

In response to the heightened seismic risk, local authorities have ordered schools to remain closed on Santorini, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos until Friday, February 7. Additionally, schools and sports facilities on Tinos have also been shut down as a precautionary measure.

Concerns Over Building Safety

A significant concern is the structural integrity of Santorini’s buildings, particularly those perched on the caldera’s cliffs. Engineering experts warn that poorly reinforced structures and the island’s unstable volcanic terrain could amplify the risk of damage in a major quake.

Εγκατάσταση σκηνών της ΕΜΑΚ στο κλειστό γήπεδο στα Φηρά. Στον ίδιο χώρο περιμένουν ασθενοφόρα που έφτασαν από την Αθήνα σήμερα το βράδυ. Εκεί θα κοιμηθούν στα αυτοκίνητα τους και πολίτες και πολίτες που δεν πρόλαβαν να φύγουν ακόμα από το νησί, Δευτέρα 3 Φεβρουαρίου 2025 (ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΤΖΟΥΜΑΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Professor Panagiotis Karydis, an expert in earthquake-resistant construction, emphasized that Santorini’s iconic cliffside homes and hotels could be at risk due to shallow foundations and unstable ground. As a precaution, authorities have advised that pools in homes and hotels be emptied, as water movement could destabilize structures during an earthquake.

More Quakes Expected in the Coming Weeks

The Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation of Greece (EPPO) has warned that the intense seismic activity may continue for weeks. EPPO President Efthymis Lekkas stated that a magnitude 5.2–5.3 quake could help relieve seismic pressure, reducing the risk of a much stronger event. However, while a quake exceeding 6.0 remains unlikely, experts continue to monitor the situation closely.