12,000 Earthquakes in 12 Days: Tremors and Rumbling Continue in the Aegean

Instead of preparing for the tourist season, businesses on the affected islands face uncertainty regarding their reopening dates. Over the past 12 days, the region has recorded 12,000 earthquakes. The majority of residents from Santorini and Amorgos have already left the islands, while schools in Santorini, Anafi, and Amorgos will remain closed until February 14. Those who remain describe constant shaking and unsettling rumbling sounds.

Underwater Investigations to Explain Continuous Tremors

Greek authorities are keen to examine the seabed in the earthquake-hit region, which is home to underwater volcanoes. Scientists aim to analyze seismic activity and provide explanations for the relentless tremors.

According to Greek news channel Mega, a team of Greek scientists will begin an operation today in the Caldera sea region to retrieve existing underwater seismographs and deploy two new ones.

Professor Evi Nomikou from Athens National University’s Geology Department stated that, weather permitting, the scientific team will collect the seafloor sismographs, which provide data on the region’s microseismicity. This data will be combined with readings from land-based seismographs for a more comprehensive analysis. Nomikou emphasized that seismic activity northeast of Santorini is not linked to volcanic eruptions.

Meanwhile, strong tremors continued over the weekend. A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 9:00 PM on Sunday, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers southwest of Amorgos’ Arkesini city, 226 kilometers from Athens.