Santorini, the picturesque Greek island known for its stunning caldera formed by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, is currently experiencing a surge of seismic activity that has raised alarms among scientists and local authorities.
Over the past two weeks, thousands of small earthquakes have been recorded beneath the island, suggesting that the ground beneath Santorini is far from stable. This unusual pattern of seismic shocks has experts concerned that the volcanic unrest may not be a relic of the distant past.
On Monday, a significant gathering took place at Santorini's port, where scientists, experts, and military personnel converged with advanced high-tech equipment to monitor the volcano closely. The level of activity observed has left even the seasoned professionals questioning the potential outcomes.
Marine geophysicist Jens Karstens shared his concerns with CGTN, stating, \"I haven't experienced something like this before. In the last 15 to 25 years, there were two previous events with increased earthquake activity here at Santorini and around Santorini. However, this event is larger than what was experienced before.\"
Karstens added, \"To give perspective, the two last events happened and basically nothing – the activity calmed down with no peak earthquake or eruption. So, this unrest could follow a similar pattern. However, we need to prepare for the possibility that it might lead to a large earthquake or even an eruption.\"
The current phenomenon is unlike anything the experts have encountered previously. Despite the deployment of the latest tools and sensors, deciphering the exact nature and duration of this seismic activity will require time and meticulous analysis.
