The idyllic island of Santorini — famed for its whitewashed villages and turquoise waters — is now at the center of a scientific scramble as thousands of small earthquakes rattle its volcanic foundations. Over 450 tremors have been recorded in the past two weeks, raising questions about whether the ancient caldera could awaken after 3,600 years of dormancy.
Marine geophysicist Jens Karstens told CGTN: 'This event is larger than anything observed in the past 25 years. While previous seismic surges fizzled out, we can't rule out stronger quakes or volcanic activity this time.'
High-tech monitoring equipment now dots the island, with military personnel joining scientists to track gas emissions and magma movements. However, experts admit the situation defies easy predictions. Santorini's unique geology — formed by one of history's most catastrophic eruptions — makes modern modeling challenging.
While immediate eruption risks remain low, tourism operators report increased traveler inquiries, highlighting how geological uncertainty impacts global mobility. The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is coordinating contingency plans across Mediterranean nations.
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As Santorini shakes, scientists measure, analyze and hypothesize
cgtn.com
