Schools in Santorini, Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos to remain closed as seismic activity persist
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Seismic activity continues in the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, with authorities on high alert and residents unsettled.
On Saturday, the Geodynamic Institute recorded a 4.4-magnitude earthquake with an epicenter 26 km from Anafi. Meanwhile, technical teams completed inspections of school buildings in Santorini and Amorgos, confirming their structural safety.
The Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Hellenic Volcanic Arc of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation (OASP) reported that seismic activity in the region remains stable. Since February 1, more than 800 tremors above magnitude 3.0 have been recorded, with the strongest reaching magnitude 5.2.
The Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment has decided to keep schools in Santorini, Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos closed at least until February 14 as seismic activity in the Cyclades continues.
Authorities emphasize that the seismic sequence in the sea near Anydros, between Santorini and Amorgos, remains stable and is unrelated to volcanic activity in the Kameni islands or the underwater Kolumbo volcano.
On Saturday morning, several earthquakes exceeding 4.5 magnitude were recorded between Santorini and Amorgos, including a 4.6-magnitude tremor at 10.36am, followed by a 4.9-magnitude quake at 11am. Another 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck at 11.24am. Between 10.36am and 11.24am, a total of eight quakes between magnitudes 3.9 and 4.9 were recorded.
Later in the evening, additional earthquakes measuring 4.3 and 4.4 magnitudes occurred at 6:29 pm and 7.15pm, respectively.
Following a meeting chaired by OASP President Professor Efthymios Lekkas, experts confirmed that the seismic activity is caused by underwater faults running northeast to southwest and is not linked to volcanic activity.
The committees also issued safety recommendations for residents:
- Avoid large gatherings inside buildings
- Stay away from abandoned structures
- Refrain from accessing ports, including Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and the Old Port of Fira
- Remove unsecured heavy objects from buildings and empty swimming pools to reduce structural risks
- Use safe routes for travel, particularly in areas with steep slopes prone to landslides
- Move away from coastal areas immediately in the event of a strong earthquake
- The committees will convene again on Tuesday, February 11, at 6pm to reassess the situation
Meanwhile, to ensure timely updates on the ongoing seismic activity, Professor Kostas Papazachos of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has been appointed as the official spokesperson for the two scientific committees. His role will be to provide accurate information to the public regarding the evolving situation between Santorini and Amorgos.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
