On Monday, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos in the Cyclades. This seismic event, noted as the strongest in recent weeks, resulted in no casualties or damage reported.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the sea area 14 kilometers south-southwest of Amorgos.
Since January 26, when the barrage of earthquakes started shaking the Cycladic islands more than 12,800 earthquakes have been recorded between Santorini and Amorgos.
“We cannot say with certainty that it was the main earthquake,” Efthymis Lekkas, President of the Earthquake Planning & Protection Organization (OASP) told ERT about Monday’s strong earthquake.
Speaking to SKAI, the director of the Geodynamic Institute, Vasilis Karastathis, said that “we do not believe that anything is changing as we believe that we have a series of aftershocks. 5.3 is no different from the 5.2 we had a few days ago. I would not say that we should focus on the magnitude, but as a phenomenon that continues normally.”
Greek oceanographic vessel to explore causes of earthquakes near Santorini
The Greek oceanographic vessel AIGAIO of the state-run Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) is set to embark on a mission to the earthquake-stricken region of Santorini-Amorgos, aimed at deepening the understanding of the ongoing seismic activity in the area.
A large team of scientists will be on board the vessel, equipped with the newly acquired state-of-the-art research instruments, who will conduct extensive research on the causes of the continuous earthquakes shaking the Cyclades over the last few weeks.
The expedition will focus on collecting geological, geophysical, geochemical, and oceanographic data. Researchers will conduct detailed seabed mapping to identify structures related to underwater fault activity, potential submarine landslides, and the stability of underwater slopes.
High-resolution seismic imaging will be used to analyze fault systems that may have been activated by recent seismic disturbances, while deeper seismic profiling will provide insights into fault geometry at depths exceeding one to two kilometers beneath the seabed.
Additionally, oceanographic measurements will assess parameters such as temperature, turbidity, and salinity, alongside detecting concentrations of radioactive elements like radon. These findings will help determine whether increased fluid or gas emissions from underwater faults are occurring in the region.
The AIGAIO’s research voyage is part of the “Athena vs. Enceladus” project, funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation.
The initiative aims to investigate and map active submarine faults in the broader South Aegean region, contributing to a better understanding of their seismic potential.
Impact on tourism
As Santorini continues to be rattled by earthquakes, the tourism industry is anxious that the tremors will prevent many travelers from visiting the picturesque Greek island.
Tourism executives say that up to now there has been no rush to cancel holidays, but they are keeping their fingers crossed that no destructive earthquake will hit when the tourist season begins in late March to early April.
Tourism is incredibly significant for Santorini’s economy. It’s the lifeblood of the island, driving a huge portion of its economic activity and providing livelihoods for a large percentage of its residents.