Multiple earthquakes are rattling Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini. Here’s what we know

Athens, Greece (AP) – multiple earthquakes shaking Santorini, Volcanic island In Greece, the authorities prompted the rescuers to send tents, dogs and drones, and closing schools in four islands.

The population has been warned To avoid internal gatherings, check the escape methods, stay away from slopes and drain swimming pools to reduce the potential structural damage of the buildings in the event of a large earthquake.

Greece lies in a high degree An active part in the world of the worldAnd earthquakes are frequent. The vast majority do not cause any slight or non -injuries, but the country has also seen fatal earthquakes. Seismic cannot be predicted, but the authorities take measures as a preventive measure.

Santorini, one of the most tourist destinations in Greece, has taken the current crescent after a massive volcanic eruption in ancient times. Now, millions of visitors come every year to see its dramatic scene of white homes and churches in which blue wheat clings clinging to the length of Kaldira, which was flooded with water, or the volcanic hole.

Last week, scientists said they noticed the increase in volcanic activity in Caldira, but they say this is not related to earthquakes.

Here is a look at the current situation:

What happens here?

The authorities said about 200 earthquakes with sizes ranging between 3 and 4.9 were recorded from Saturday to Monday between Santorini and the nearby passion of Amorgos.

Zeressimus Papadopoulos on Greece TV said that seismic activity began on January 24, but it intensified on Saturday, with an increase in frequency and enlargement.

The current rift line extends to about 120 km (75 miles), but only the southern part was activated between Santorini and Amersus. Earthquakes have concentrations under the sea floor, about 30-40 km (18-25 miles) from any of the islands. Scientists say this is good news, as the underground earthquake center can be more destructive. But the large earthquake can also lead to tsunami, so the authorities have warned people against moving away from coastal areas and heading inward if they feel a large earthquake.

To date, no damage or injuries has been reported, although some simple rock slices occur.

Can earthquakes lead to a volcanic eruption?

Santorini is located along the Hellenic volcanic arc, which extends from Biloponiz in southern Greece through the Cycladic Islands.

Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Climate in Greece and Civil Protection announced the monitoring of sensors for “moderate alternative seismic activity” inside Caldira on the island. A similar volcanic activity was recorded in 2011, when it lasted for 14 months and ended without any major issues.

Another volcano – a submarine called Kolumbo – is about 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Santorini, closer to the current earthquake center.

But earthquake scientists say that earthquakes are not related to volcanoes.

The Ministry of Civil Protection said on Monday that the meeting between government officials and scholars decided that the seismic activity inside Caldira in Santorini “remains at the same low levels as in recent days”, but “a special increase” between Santorini and Amersus.

What worries the authorities?

Scientists are still trying to determine whether the multiple earthquakes are the foreground – smaller earthquakes before a large bus. Papadubulus said that there is a “high possibility.”

The main villages of Santorini were built along the Edra Caldera Volcanic Caldira – which produces the dramatic scene of consecutive white houses and sunset views that make the island very popular, but also raises concerns in a large earthquake. The transparent slopes make some areas vulnerable to rock slices.

What precautions are taken?

The authorities sent a team of rescue men with a small dog and drones to Santorini, where they set up tents at the basketball field next to the main hospital of the island as a starting area. Payment alerts have been sent to mobile phones that warn people against moving away from areas where rock slices can occur, and prohibiting access to some coastal areas.

Residents and hotels were asked to deplete swimming pools, because the movement of water in a major earthquake can destabilize buildings. People were told to avoid old buildings and check out exit when they are in built areas.

Schools will remain in Santorini, as well as the islands near Anafi, Amorgos and iOS, closed throughout the week.

What is the date?

The rift line that was activated was the site of the largest earthquake in Greece in the last century: it reached 7.7 degrees of the Amurgus earthquake that was struck in 1956, which led Santorini and killed more than 50 people.

Santorini is also one of the largest volcanic bangs in human history. Known as the Mino eruption, it happened around 1600 BC and destroyed many of the previous round island, giving Santorini its current shape. It is believed that the explosion has contributed to the decline in the ancient Maino civilization.

Although it is still an active volcano, the last noticeable eruption occurred in 1950.

“What we should realize is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years,” said Effhymios Lekkas, the earthquake world and head of the Scientific Monitoring Committee of the Phoenix Hellini Arc, last week. “3000 years have passed since the last explosion, so we have a very long time before we face a big explosion.”