Greece Declares State of Emergency on Anafi Island
Anafi island, Greece. X/ @greekcitytimes
February 14, 2025 Hour: 9:16 am
Between January 26 and February 8, over 12,800 tremors have occurred in Santorini, Amorgos, and Anafi.
On Friday, the Greek government declared a state of emergency on the small island of Anafi, in the Cyclades archipelago, due to earthquakes of up to magnitude 5.3 that have been shaking this area of the Aegean Sea for the past three weeks.
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The Civil Protection’s declaration on this small island of about 300 inhabitants will remain in effect at least until March 13. The government had previously declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini (25,000 inhabitants) on February 6, and later on the island of Amorgos (2,000 inhabitants) on February 12.
Dozens of tremors continue to be recorded in the maritime area located between these three islands. However, as of Friday, no earthquake greater than magnitude 4 has been recorded, unlike previous days since the increased seismic activity began on January 24.
The strongest earthquake in the area, with a magnitude of 5.3, was recorded on Monday about 20 kilometers southwest of Amorgos, according to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens.
Between January 26 and February 8, more than 12,800 tremors have occurred in the area. Schools have remained closed for the past two weeks in Santorini, Amorgos, and Anafi, as well as on the nearby island of Ios, where the tremors are also being felt.
In Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, only 4,000 of its residents remain, as thousands of people have left the island. The Geodynamic Institute of Athens Director Vasilis Karastathis stated that in recent days, a “stabilization in the evolution of seismic activity” has been observed.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the phenomenon has entered a phase of decline. This decrease would need to persist for several more weeks before a definitive downward trend can be confirmed.
Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warned that this “relative calm” could also be a precursor to a larger earthquake.
Akis Tselentis, former director of the Geodynamic Institute, stated that the “optimistic scenario” is for a magnitude 6 earthquake to occur. However, he emphasized that there is also a small possibility of a magnitude 7 quake, which could trigger a tsunami and cause extensive damage in the region.
Tselentis also denounced that for years, “flagrant illegalities” have been committed in Santorini, with the construction of hotels and luxury apartments on the edge of the island’s famous volcanic caldera.
In some cases, this unstable caldera has been excavated to allow buildings to be constructed, Tselentis pointed out. He shared a photograph showing an area of illegal excavation work that was abandoned after the seismic activity began.
These tremors are due to the movement of tectonic plates along the Anydros submarine fault, located between Santorini and Amorgos, and not to the two volcanoes in the area. However, experts caution that this does not mean the tremors cannot reactivate volcanic activity.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE