Santorini Hit by Thousands of Earthquakes as Scientists Monitor Uncertainty

Seismic swarms in the Aegean Sea have led to a state of emergency on Santorini and nearby islands, with experts warning of potential prolonged activity.

• Santorini and surrounding islands have experienced over 12,800 earthquakes since late January, including a recent 5.3 magnitude tremor.
• A state of emergency has been declared, prompting thousands of residents to leave and schools to remain closed for a third week.
• Experts attribute the activity to tectonic and magmatic processes rather than volcanic eruption, though magma movement influences the tremors.
• The Greek government is constructing an evacuation port on Santorini to prepare for potential larger quakes and facilitate emergency responses.
• Seismologists caution that the seismic swarms could persist for months, with no reliable way to predict their progression or potential escalation.

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