Santorini hit by hundreds of earthquakes
Santorini hit by hundreds of earthquakes, schools closed today The area around the Greek island of Santorini was hit by approximately 200 earthquakes over the past weekend.
The area around the Greek island of Santorini was hit by around 200 earthquakes last weekend. The strongest had a magnitude of 4.7, Greek authorities report. Schools will therefore remain closed today on the island, as well as on the islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi.
People are advised to avoid several ports and not to gather in large groups in indoor areas. This includes the small ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Fira, where cruise ships dock. Many of Santorini's ports are surrounded by steep cliffs.
Santorini authorities are also preparing for a possible evacuation. Tents have been set up in an open-air stadium and police, firefighters and special disaster response teams are on standby. Experts say the magnitude of another quake could exceed 6.0.
Fault lines
"This does not necessarily mean that there will be a strong earthquake. It could very well be that the thermal energy will disappear and a smaller earthquake will occur on Santorini. But we have to take measures," a seismology professor told the news site Protothema .
Greece is located on multiple fault lines and is regularly hit by earthquakes. Santorini, known for its whitewashed buildings, steep cliffs and black sand beaches, is visited by around 3 million people each year.
The island owes its shape to one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC. However, experts say the recent tremors are not the result of volcanic activity.
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