Santorini update as earthquakes cause chaos for holidaymakers

Santorini is a Greek getaway that normally attracts sun-seeking honeymooners, couples and families alike. However, the lives of locals and the tourism industry were rocked in recent weeks after the island was hit by hundreds of earthquake tremors.

Earlier this month, Santorini and neighbouring Aegean Sea islands were rocked by a strong 5.2-magnitude quake, which prompted warnings to be issued, the closures of many activities and locals to be evacuated.

Santorini’s future remains uncertain, with scientists admitting they are “seeing deep magma shifts” originating northeast of the island near Anhydra.

Emily Hooft, a geophysicist at the University of Oregon, has been listening to the “breathing” of Santorini’s volcano for years.

She says: “We’re seeing deep magma shifts, but not necessarily leading to an eruption. The earthquakes that come with this movement are relieving pressure beneath Santorini, which might actually reduce the likelihood of immediate volcanic activity.”

Reassuring tourists and locals, Emily said that most magma movements never reach the surface, with the magma often entering the crust and staying there.

However, “there’s always a small chance that it could break through”, said Emily. Currently “the most likely location for such an event would be underwater, southwest of Anhydra.”

Although it is believed that if an eruption did occur it would not be dramatic, if ash was to be released into the air it could majorly impact air travel in a possible blow to tourists.

Emily said: “A submarine eruption wouldn’t necessarily pose a threat to Santorini. “However, if ash were released into the air, air travel and local respiratory conditions could be affected.”

For now, scientists are keeping a watchful eye on Santorini’s volcano- and holidaymakers will be watching closely. 

As the tourism season nears, residents and businesses in Santorini have been in limbo since the swarm of tremors began.

Many residents have seemingly had enough of the tremors, with over 11,000 packing up their homes and fleeing the island in search of safety.

Many of Santorini’s once bustling bars and restaurants are reportedly closed as well as ticket agencies, tavernas and quad bike hire outlets. Even hotel swimming pools have been emptied.

Although the winter season sees a flurry of businesses close, the island’s relatively big population typically keeps the island lively even in the colder months.