Volcanic activity increases on Greece's Santorini
Increased volcanic activity has been detected on Greece's Santorini, raising concerns among scientists and locals alike. The island, known for its stunning landscapes and rich history, is closely monitored as seismic events become more frequent. Authorities are keeping a watchful eye on the situation to ensure the safety of residents and tourists visiting the famous destination.
TroibNews 
In response to heightened volcanic activity in Santorini, a renowned tourist destination in Greece, the country's civil protection minister has convened a meeting with local and disaster response officials.
On Wednesday, the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry announced that monitoring sensors had detected "mild seismic-volcanic activity" within Santorini's caldera.
This type of volcanic activity had previously occurred in the area in 2011, continuing for 14 months without causing any problems.
According to the announcement, scientists observing the Hellenic Volcanic Arc—which extends from the Peloponnese in southern Greece to the Cycladic islands—have noted a rise in activity within a central fault line located in the northern region of Santorini's caldera.
"According to the scientists, based on the currently available data there is no cause for particular concern," it stated.
Santorini, characterized by its crescent shape, is one of Greece's most sought-after tourist locations, attracting visitors worldwide with its iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches perched along the cliff edge of the flooded caldera.
Historically, the island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions recorded in human history, which occurred in the Bronze Age around 1620 BC. This eruption devastated a significant portion of the island and shaped its current geography.
This catastrophic event is thought to have played a role in the decline of the ancient Minoan civilization that thrived in the area.
Despite its status as an active volcano, the last major eruption took place in 1950.
"What we must realize is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years," Efthymios Lekkas, a seismologist and head of the scientific monitoring committee for the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, remarked during an interview on Greece's ERT television Thursday. "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."
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
On Wednesday, the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry announced that monitoring sensors had detected "mild seismic-volcanic activity" within Santorini's caldera.
This type of volcanic activity had previously occurred in the area in 2011, continuing for 14 months without causing any problems.
According to the announcement, scientists observing the Hellenic Volcanic Arc—which extends from the Peloponnese in southern Greece to the Cycladic islands—have noted a rise in activity within a central fault line located in the northern region of Santorini's caldera.
"According to the scientists, based on the currently available data there is no cause for particular concern," it stated.
Santorini, characterized by its crescent shape, is one of Greece's most sought-after tourist locations, attracting visitors worldwide with its iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches perched along the cliff edge of the flooded caldera.
Historically, the island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions recorded in human history, which occurred in the Bronze Age around 1620 BC. This eruption devastated a significant portion of the island and shaped its current geography.
This catastrophic event is thought to have played a role in the decline of the ancient Minoan civilization that thrived in the area.
Despite its status as an active volcano, the last major eruption took place in 1950.
"What we must realize is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years," Efthymios Lekkas, a seismologist and head of the scientific monitoring committee for the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, remarked during an interview on Greece's ERT television Thursday. "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."
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
