Authorities in Greece have taken precautionary measures following a series of earthquakes near the popular tourist destination of Santorini. More than 200 tremors have been recorded in the area since early Friday, causing concern among locals and officials.
The strongest earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.6, occurred on Sunday afternoon at a depth of 14 kilometers. Despite the significant seismic activity, there have been no reports of damage or casualties.
As a response to the ongoing earthquakes, schools on Santorini and nearby islands have been closed. Residents and hotel owners have been advised to drain their swimming pools to prevent potential damage to buildings in the event of a strong quake.
Authorities have dispatched rescue teams, including sniffer dogs, to the affected areas as a precautionary measure. Residents have been urged to avoid large open-air events and to be cautious of rockfalls, given the steep cliffs present on the islands.
Experts have stated that while it is difficult to predict the likelihood of a stronger tremor, the area could potentially experience a 6 magnitude earthquake. Seismic activity has also been recorded in Santorini's volcano caldera, with the strongest tremor of magnitude 3.8 occurring recently.
The historical significance of Santorini's volcanic activity was highlighted, with experts referencing the devastating eruption around 1600 B.C. that impacted the region, including the island of Crete and Egypt. The volcano remains under close monitoring due to its past eruptions and proximity to densely populated areas.
