Quakes Every 10 Minutes on Santorini Could Trigger Volcano as 9,000 Flee
Santorini faces intense seismic activity, prompting mass evacuations as experts warn of potential volcanic eruptions.
Santorini, Greece, Earthquakes, Volcano, Evacuations
Santorini: The island is experiencing earthquakes every 10 minutes. Experts worry this could trigger a volcanic eruption. Many residents and tourists are fleeing the area.
Seismic activity has intensified, with over 550 tremors recorded recently. The quakes are felt not just in Santorini but also in nearby islands like Amorgos and Ios.
Just this morning, six earthquakes hit in 50 minutes. The strongest tremor reached nearly 4 on the Richter scale. Experts are closely monitoring the situation.
Initially, some thought the quakes weren’t linked to the volcano. However, experts now believe they could be connected. They are preparing for possible tsunamis or eruptions.
Thanasis Ganas, a leading expert, mentioned that the situation is unpredictable. The area has several volcanoes, with Kolumbo being the most concerning.
On Monday, there were 12 tremors above 4 on the Richter scale. If a stronger quake occurs, it could lead to landslides and tsunamis.
Tourists are leaving in droves, with over 9,000 fleeing in the last 24 hours. Roads to the port and airport are congested, and flights are fully booked.
Those who remain are anxious. Many are sleeping in cars or outdoors, fearing their homes might collapse. Residents describe the situation as unprecedented.
Authorities have closed schools and deployed emergency crews. Access to some coastal areas is restricted due to landslide risks.
Despite the chaos, experts believe the situation may stabilize without further escalation. However, landslides have already begun affecting the island’s beautiful landscape.