Two new earthquakes above 4.5 on the Richter scale were registered in the sea area between Santorini and the island of Amorgos last night. They were registered within five minutes.
Santorini residents are trying to leave the island. Queues formed in front of travel agencies and ferry ticket offices yesterday, bTV reported. Plane tickets from Santorini are sold out, with one-way tickets costing 200 euros.
Over 200 earthquakes have been registered in the sea area between the Greek islands of Santorini and Amorgos in the past 48 hours, ANA-MPA news agency reported, as quoted by BTA.
Due to the increased seismic activity, several scientific bodies that assess the seismic hazard and monitor volcanic activity have gathered again. Scientists have concluded that seismic activity within the caldera (the volcanic formation formed when the crater collapsed inwards) continues to decrease.
According to Greek scientists, the current seismic activity in the area is due to submarine faults with a northwest-southeast direction and is not related to volcanic activity.
Experts have recommended that schools remain closed on Monday, February 3, on the islands of Santorini, Anafi, Ios and Amorgos. Citizens are advised to avoid large gatherings in buildings; to avoid approaching abandoned buildings; to avoid access to and stay in the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Corfu and the old port of Fira; to proceed with the removal of dangerous elements in their buildings and to drain swimming pools.
Santorini is one of Greece's top destinations. One of the most powerful volcanic eruptions - around 1600 BC - shaped the island into its current form. The last eruption in the area was in 1950, Reuters reported. In 1956, earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.2, followed by tsunamis, caused many deaths and serious damage in the region, DPA reported.