Santorini Faces Strongest Earthquake Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity

With more than 12,800 tremors recorded since January, the Greek island of Santorini has been hit by a powerful 5.3 magnitude earthquake, leading to heightened fears and evacuations as the area grapples with potential hazards from seismic unrest.

Santorini has experienced a significant seismic occurrence with a 5.3 magnitude earthquake, marking the strongest in a series of tremors that have affected the region recently. The earthquake, which struck on Monday evening, was shallow, measuring a depth of 17 km (10.6 miles). Residents as far away as Athens reported feeling the tremors.

This seismic activity is part of a broader crisis, with over 12,800 quakes detected by Athens' University Seismological Laboratory since January. The last major earthquake in this series happened on Sunday, with a magnitude of 5.0, and was preceded by several smaller events measuring above 4.0. The residents of nearby Amorgos Island remain on guard after the recent strong tremors.

In the aftermath, local inhabitants have been seen actively preventing tourists from accessing precarious cliff areas, highlighting safety concerns. Landslides resulting from the frequent shakes have compounded risks on the island, leading to a declared state of emergency expected to last at least through early March.

Despite the lack of reported injuries or significant structural damage to buildings, over 11,000 individuals have evacuated the islands. Schools in Santorini and neighboring areas have closed temporarily as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, a rescue unit has been dispatched from Patras to assist in potential emergency operations.

Seismology experts, including Kostas Papazachos from Aristotle University, have emphasized the need for patience as they monitor the situation. While there are hopes for a tapering off of seismic activity, the possibility of a more substantial quake cannot be discounted.

Notably, the tourist cruise ship Viking Star, which was scheduled to dock in Santorini, altered its route to avoid the port, circumventing possible overcrowding issues linked to the ongoing seismic crises.

Greece, situated on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, is historically prone to earthquakes, yet the current patterns have scientists baffled as they do not correlate with volcanic activity, leading authorities to attribute them to tectonic movements.