Greece’s authorities sought to ease concerns about the recent seismic activity at the Santorini volcano after a meeting of officials and scientists at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection on Wednesday.
Reports say that the emergency plan named “TALOS” was discussed after “an increase in activity that was recorded in the central fault of the volcano in Caldera . . . For this reason, the Scientific Committee is constantly monitoring the phenomenon, analyzing the data and updating the planning of the corresponding prevention actions,” an announcement released said.
It added that the volcanic activity is similar to that of 2011-2012, which lasted approximately 14 months and ended without any volcanic event. According to scientists, based on the data available so far, there is no reason for particular concern.
Santorini volcano eruptions
The Caldera of Santorini is a large, submerged volcanic crater formed by a massive eruption around 1600 BCE. This eruption, one of the most powerful in recorded history, caused the central part of the island to collapse into the sea, creating a giant, water-filled basin surrounded by steep cliffs.
The volcano has been “quiet” for almost 400 years. The last time it erupted, in 1650, it killed more than 70 people and caused a 40-meter-high tsunami. Strong earthquakes and aftershocks were recorded, along with toxic gases and smoke. The most recent eruption of the volcano took place between January, 10, and February 2, 1950.
Today, the Santorini Caldera is a major geological and tourist attraction, known for its breathtaking views, white-washed villages perched on its cliffs (like Fira, Oia and Imerovigli), and its connection to Minoan civilization and the legend of Atlantis. The caldera is still volcanically active, with Nea Kameni, an island in its center, hosting a dormant but monitored volcano.
Experts monitor Santorini volcano
The mayor of Santorini or Thira, Nikos Zorzos, said he has been aware of the mild seismic activity observed on the island recently.
“I have been informed from the very beginning. This is a normal activity. From time to time we have recessions and upsurges. There are no indications of anything imminent. The phenomenon is being monitored continuously by experts,” he told iefimerida.
Professor of seismology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and president of the Institute for the Study and Monitoring of the Santorini Volcano (IMPIS), Kostas Papazachos stressed there is no cause for concern.
“It is a phenomenon that is in progress and we are monitoring it closely. The seismicity is similar to that of the past. There is no reason for concern at this stage. However, we are still obliged to examine and be prepared for the adverse scenario. That is, to prepare both scientifically and operationally.”
Last year scientists warned that the Santorini volcano has a growing, never-before-seen magma chamber that could fuel another massive eruption within the next 150 years.
The study published in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems revealed that the previously undetected magma chamber growing beneath the volcano could lead to another eruption.
Related: Will the Santorini Volcano Erupt in Our Lifetime?
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