Santorini is shaking, and the fear is growing

For the twelfth day in a row, the earth has been quaking incessantly northeast of the Aegean island of Santorini. Thousands of people have already fled the Greek island. Seismologists are analyzing the phenomenon and warn that a major earthquake could follow. Experts are also warning of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Preparations for disaster protection are in full swing.

The rush for ferry and flight tickets to Santorini was and remains high. Airlines have set up special flights, and additional ferries are also scheduled to depart. ‘I haven't slept for days, the children and women are crying, there is an earthquake every five minutes,’ a man who had managed to get a place on the Blue Star 1 ferry to Athens told journalists. Television images showed packed cars full of people fleeing. ‘I feel like a refugee in my own country,’ complained a woman.

The inhabitants of Santorini, who are quite accustomed to earthquakes, have never experienced anything like this – and neither have seismologists and geologists. The series of earthquakes is giving them a headache. ‘Never before have we registered a phenomenon of so many earthquakes in such a short time,’ said geology professor Evi Nomikou to a Greek news channel.

Scientists are also concerned that the ongoing quakes could activate the great volcano Kolumbos, which lies under water northeast of the island. In 1650, a massive eruption caused severe damage throughout the entire eastern Mediterranean. In addition, there is fear of a major earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale or more. In 1956, two earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.2 in the region killed dozens of people, caused tsunamis and caused extensive damage.

However, the head of the Greek Seismological Service, Efthymios Lekkas, is convinced that a disaster will not occur. The geologist hopes that the accumulated seismic energy will be released through an earthquake of magnitude 5 to 5.5, allowing the region to gradually return to normal. However, Lekkas and his colleagues emphasize that, in the end, no one can make a completely reliable prediction.