Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
In recent days, the Santorini region, a volcanic island group in the Aegean Sea, has experienced a swarm of seismic activity. Approximately 2,000 earthquakes, mostly minor, have been recorded in the past week.
Residents have been advised to avoid coastal areas due to the risk of landslides and to refrain from gathering in enclosed spaces. Some hotels have proactively emptied their swimming pools, and schools in Santorini and nearby islands have temporarily closed.
Earthquake in Santorini
(Video: Reuters)
Authorities have clarified that the seismic activity is tectonic in origin and not volcanic. Greece, situated on the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, is prone to frequent earthquakes due to the frictional interactions between these plates.
Tremors have been concentrated between Santorini’s submerged volcanic structure, which last erupted in 1950, and the island of Amorgos. Santorini's dramatic landscape, characterized by steep cliffs descending into the sea, was shaped by the collapse of a massive volcanic caldera during a major eruption in the region’s geological history.
Around 1600 BCE, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history devastated the island. The eruption was so intense that ash and atmospheric effects were detected across the Mediterranean, from Crete to Egypt and the Levant. Many researchers believe this event significantly contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization, which dominated the Aegean during this period. It may also have inspired ancient myths, including Plato’s tale of Atlantis.
The eruption was likely preceded by precursor seismic activity, such as repeated earthquakes, which would have warned the island’s Minoan inhabitants of the impending disaster. Archaeological evidence suggests that many residents managed to evacuate, as very few skeletons have been discovered at excavation sites. This indicates that the population may have fled before the catastrophic eruption.
When the main eruption occurred, it unfolded in a series of violent explosive events, ejecting vast quantities of volcanic ash, lava, and toxic gases. The magnitude of the eruption is often compared to that of Mount Vesuvius, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE.
One of the most devastating consequences of the eruption was the generation of massive tsunamis. These waves, caused by the collapse of the volcanic caldera into the sea, reached heights of tens of meters. The tsunamis primarily impacted Crete, where Knossos, the political and cultural hub of the Minoan civilization, suffered extensive damage.
Scholars hypothesize that these tsunamis destroyed critical Minoan ports, annihilated fleets, and disrupted trade, significantly weakening the civilization economically and militarily. The effects were not limited to Crete; evidence from Egyptian records suggests that climatic changes caused by the eruption impacted agriculture in the Nile Delta. Volcanic ash deposits found in the Levant further demonstrate the eruption’s far-reaching influence.
While the eruption and resulting tsunamis did not immediately destroy the Minoan civilization, they inflicted lasting damage. Archaeological finds indicate a period of recovery following the disaster, but Crete’s weakened state left it vulnerable to invasion. By 1450 BCE, the Mycenaeans, an early Greek civilization, had conquered Crete and taken control of the remnants of the Minoan kingdom.
One of the most enduring legacies of the Santorini eruption is its possible connection to the myth of Atlantis. Plato’s descriptions of an advanced civilization destroyed by a natural disaster may have been inspired by the collective memory of this event and its impact on the Minoans. The advanced city of Akrotiri on Santorini, buried in volcanic ash, featured sophisticated infrastructure, such as a sewer system and elaborate buildings, aligning with Plato’s account of Atlantis. The near-total disappearance of Akrotiri, combined with the eruption’s widespread effects, supports the theory linking the myth to this historical event.
In addition to this ancient catastrophe, the Santorini islands have experienced several significant seismic events throughout history. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods (3rd century BCE–3rd century CE), earthquakes caused partial destruction of structures, some of which were later rebuilt.
In 1650, a smaller volcanic eruption reshaped the island, creating the volcanic islet of Kolumbo near Santorini. However, one of the most destructive earthquakes in modern history struck on July 9, 1956. This 7.7-magnitude quake caused severe damage to Santorini’s main towns, including Fira and Oia. Large portions of settlements were destroyed, thousands of residents lost their homes, and the disaster prompted significant emigration from the island.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Currently, a new seismic sequence is underway, with the strongest recorded tremor reaching a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. While this has captured attention, local authorities and experts emphasize that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Professor Beverly Goodman-Tchernov, a geo-archaeologist specializing in tsunamis and natural disasters from the University of Haifa, has clarified that the seismic activity is not indicative of an emergency situation.
“Although there has been a high frequency of earthquakes in a short period, most have been minor, around magnitude 3. Occasionally, there have been stronger tremors, between magnitudes 4 and 5, but these have caused minimal damage, apart from small landslides along cliffs,” Professor Goodman-Tchernov explained. Schools were closed as a precaution, and structural inspections are ongoing to ensure buildings meet safety standards. Many locals have taken the opportunity to temporarily leave the island to visit family elsewhere in Greece.
In Israel, approximately 560 miles from the epicenter, discussions have arisen about the possibility of tsunamis reaching its shores. However, experts stress that the distance provides ample warning time—at least two hours—to evacuate coastal areas if necessary.
Professor Goodman-Tchernov also emphasized that there is no reason for undue concern based on historical precedents. “The 1956 earthquake in Santorini was far more powerful than the current tremors. At that time, it caused tsunamis over 22 yards high in Santorini and Crete but resulted in only 4-inch waves in Israel, as measured along the Tel Aviv coastline.
Preparedness and vigilance during any seismic activity in the Mediterranean are essential, but there is no imminent threat. The time to truly worry would be during a strong earthquake of at least 5.5–6 magnitude along the Dead Sea Rift, which could generate significant waves and damage. For now, we are far from that scenario.”