Volcanic activity on Greece's Santorini prompts government action

According to its recent article, ABC News highlights that increased volcanic activity in Santorini has prompted Greece's Civil Protection Minister to convene a meeting with local and disaster response officials. 

The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry reported that monitoring sensors had detected "mild seismic-volcanic activity" in Santorini’s caldera. Similar volcanic activity was recorded in the area back in 2011, lasting for 14 months and ending without causing any significant problems.

Scientists observing the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, which stretches from the Peloponnese in southern Greece through the Cycladic islands, have noted a rise in activity along a central fault line in the northern part of Santorini's caldera, the announcement stated.

"According to the scientists, based on the currently available data, there is no cause for particular concern," the ministry added.

The crescent-shaped island of Santorini, known for its iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches perched on the cliff edges of the flooded caldera, is one of Greece’s most visited tourist spots.

It is also home to one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history, which occurred around 1620 BC during the Bronze Age. The eruption destroyed much of the island, shaping its current form, and is believed to have contributed to the fall of the ancient Minoan civilization that once thrived in the region.

Although still an active volcano, Santorini’s most significant eruption occurred in 1950.

“What we must realize is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years,” Efthymios Lekkas, seismologist and head of the scientific monitoring committee for the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, said during an interview on Greece’s ERT television. “It’s been 3,000 years since the last explosion, so we have a very long time ahead of us before we face a big explosion.”

In the meantime, Lekkas explained, volcanic activity fluctuates, which can lead to small earthquakes. “The volcano is a living organism,” he said, adding that “we will not face a big explosion, but a mild procedure.”

Lekkas was among those present at the meeting convened by Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias, which also included the head of Greece's fire department, the deputy minister overseeing natural disaster recovery, and several local and regional officials.

By Naila Huseynova