Renowned seismologist Costas Synolakis claimed that the earthquakes rattling Santorini may indicate the expansion of the island’s volcanic complex, potentially leading to the birth of a new volcano.
A total of 6,400 earthquakes were registered in the Santorini and Amorgos islands region between January 26 and February 3, the University of Athens’ Interdisciplinary Committee of Handling Threats and Crises said on Wednesday.
Synolakis, a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Southern California and a member of the Academy of Athens, said that rising liquid fluids beneath Santorini suggest deep geological changes. “If confirmed, we may be witnessing, for the first time in recorded history, the formation of a new volcano.”
Possible forming of new volcano craters in Santorini
Speaking to public television ERT he cautioned that this does not necessarily mean an eruption is imminent. Rather, it suggests that the region’s volcanic system could be evolving, possibly forming new craters alongside Santorini.
Synolakis has been closely monitoring this seismic swarm, warning that such sequences can sometimes culminate in a larger earthquake before aftershocks gradually subside.
While Synolakis offered reassurance that a catastrophic tsunami is unlikely, he stressed the importance of proper preparation. He also highlighted the need for strict adherence to building regulations in earthquake-prone areas, particularly in light of Santorini’s history.
“If this process stops, magma could remain dormant for decades before triggering new activity,” he explained. “It’s crucial to prepare psychologically for all possibilities. The better we understand natural phenomena, the less they will alarm us.”
While many experts attribute the recent seismic activity to tectonic shifts in the Earth’s crust, rather than volcanic activity in the southern Aegean, Synolakis’ hypothesis suggests otherwise, fueling debate among the scientific community.
Synolakis has raised concerns about potential volcanic activity, noting that the Santorini volcano has historically produced small eruptions approximately every 50 years. While he said that a massive eruption like that of the Minoan era is not a realistic scenario, he emphasised the need for continued monitoring.
Greece’s authorities sought to ease concerns about the recent seismic activity at the Santorini volcano. Scientists recently said 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.
The volcano has been almost “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 took place between January, 10, and February 2, 1950.
Greece declared a state of emergency in the municipality of Santorini on Thursday, due to the ongoing earthquakes in the area.
The state of emergency will apply from February 1, 2025, until March 3, 2025, and aims to deal with the emergency needs and manage the repercussions of the seismic activity.
Related: Did the Eruption of Santorini Volcano Destroy the Minoan Civilization?
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