The Foreign Office has issued a warning for holidaymakers in the UK planning to visit [prts of Greece. The new update includes areas around Santorini and Amorgos after recent earthquake activity.
There have been hundreds of tremors, including anearthquake registering 3.9 on the Richter scale at 12:16pm on Saturday.The epicentre was 25 km north-northwest of Anafi, at a depth of 15 km. A series of aftershocks, measuring between 2 and 3 on the Richter scale, have followed.
Shortly after another quake with a 3.1 magnitude was recorded 18 km south-southeast of Arkesini, Amorgos. Earlier on Saturday, weak tremors were reported almost simultaneously in Amorgos and Santorini, reports the Express.
The strongest earthquake recorded over the weekend was a magnitude of 4.6 at 3.55pm on Sunday, at a depth of nine miles, the Athens Geodynamic institute said.
As a result of the recent increased seismic activity authorities have shut down schools, dispatched rescue teams with sniffer dogs and sent instructions to residents – including a request to drain their swimming pools. Island residents have been advised to avoid large open-air events and to move about the islands mindful of rockfalls.
The Foreign Office alert reads: ” The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has issued advice for Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, following increased seismic activity in the area. Schools will remain closed on Monday 3 February 2025. People are advised not to attend large indoors gatherings and to avoid old or abandoned buildings. The Greek Ministry advises people to avoid the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high. In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.”
Authorities and experts said the tremors were triggered by tectonic rather than volcanic activity – dampening fears of a destructive eruption. But Kostas Papazachos, Professor of Geophysics at Thessaloniki Aristotle University , said a stronger earthquake could not be ruled out due to there being several significant fault lines in the surrounding seas, according to MailOnline.
Santorini Volcano, site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history around 1620 BC, reshaped the island and is believed to have contributed to the downfall of the ancient Minoan civilization. Despite being an active volcano, its last significant eruption was in 1950.
Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos, speaking to state broadcaster ERT, reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm. He stated: “There have indeed been many earthquakes, especially over the past week. Since early January, but particularly this past week, we have recorded over 150 to 200 tremors.
“Only a few have occurred directly on the island of Santorini. Most of them are located northeast, about 10 to 30 kilometers away.”