Residents of the tourist island of Santorini in Greece, as well as other surrounding islands, have been in panic for more than 24 hours due to the sudden increase in major seismic activity in the area.
Greek authorities are reporting dozens of small earthquakes, ranging from 1.2 to the largest, which peaked at 4.2 on the Richter scale. Underground volcanic activity also remains a concern in this area.
In the last 24 hours, an increased seismic sequence with a maximum magnitude of 4.3 has been recorded in the Anydros area, between Thira and Amorgos. This seismic activity is not related to volcanic activity, as it is due to submarine plates trending Northeast-Southwest.
Greek experts say the underwater volcano remains active and could erupt at any time.
Greek seismology professor Akis Tselentis said that seismic activity is closely linked to volcanic activity, provoking eruptions.
"We all know that these volcanoes are active and have produced volcanic eruptions in the past. The seismic vibrations within the caldera of Santorini are located on the Kameni plate (Kameni line). Similar earthquake-volcanic disturbances as in 2011-12, without resulting in an eruption," he said.
For this reason, the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has decided to close schools in the area, ban gatherings in closed buildings, and warn residents not to approach the ports.
A powerful volcanic eruption around 1800 BC shattered the island of Santorini, forever changing not only its appearance, but also provoking hundreds of earthquakes and tsunamis that hit the entire region.