Rescue teams and tents have been sent to the island of Santorini in Greece after hundreds of seismic tremors were recorded there.
A seismic tremor of magnitude 4.5 was recorded at 09:22 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 36 km northeast of Santorini at a depth of 2 km.
Earlier, at 08:48, an earthquake with magnitude 4.1 was registered with epicentre at 28 km to the north-east from Santorini, its origin was located at the depth of 10 km. Another earthquake with magnitude 4.1 occurred at 10:37 in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos.
Experts emphasise that “the earthquakes are not volcanic.” Nevertheless, the constant activity means that larger tremors cannot be ruled out. It is this fact that worries seismologists the most – seismic activity is not subsiding, continuing to produce earthquakes every few minutes, some of them with a magnitude greater than 4.
Due to the intense seismic activity in the region, a meeting of the Standing Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation and the Standing Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc OASP was held on Saturday.
The local civil defence ministry said schools would be closed on February 3.
“Nothing can be ruled out. That is why precautions are being taken,” said Kostas Papazachos, a professor of geophysics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Studies have shown that the earth’s crust around Santorini is rife with fault lines. In 1956, the island suffered significant damage after an earthquake that triggered a tsunami.
Residents of the island have been advised to avoid large crowds indoors and stay away from the Amoudi and Old Port areas. The situation is being closely monitored and authorities may take additional measures if necessary.
