Santorini Earthquakes: Schools Closed, Extra Flights

Santorini, a popular tourist destination in Greece, has been rocked by continuous tremors for a fourth day, prompting authorities to close schools and reschedule flights. Seismic activity, with tremors occurring every few minutes, has been recorded between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos in the Aegean Sea since Friday. The tremors, some exceeding a magnitude of 4, have led to concerns over safety, especially with many areas of Santorini situated on steep cliffs.

In response to the ongoing quakes, schools on Santorini, as well as on the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi, have been temporarily shut down. Local authorities have advised residents and visitors to avoid indoor spaces and small ports due to the frequency of the tremors. Disaster response units have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the public.

Experts have warned that the seismic activity could persist for weeks. Efthymios Lekkas, a professor of tectonic geology and disaster management, mentioned that the island could experience a prolonged sequence of earthquakes. "We estimate that it (the activity) will continue for some days, and there could be a lengthy seismic sequence," Lekkas stated in an interview with Greek television.

While the quakes have raised concerns among visitors, permanent residents of Santorini are relatively unperturbed, as they are accustomed to the occasional tremors. However, some non-residents, particularly those on the island for work, have opted to leave due to the continued seismic activity.

To assist in the evacuation and travel of residents and visitors, Aegean Airlines has scheduled three additional flights to and from Santorini for Monday and Tuesday, following a request from Greece's Civil Protection Ministry. These flights aim to help those wishing to leave or return to the island amid the ongoing uncertainty.

Greece is situated on several fault lines and is frequently affected by seismic events. Santorini itself was shaped by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history around 1600 BC, and while the last eruption occurred in 1950, the region remains highly active. However, experts have clarified that the mild volcanic activity recently recorded near Santorini is not directly related to the ongoing earthquakes.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that the safety of residents and visitors remains the top priority as the tremors continue to shake the island.