Speaking to Kathimerini, the Director of the Institute of Geodynamics, Vassilis Karastathis noted there have been a lot of tremors in the Aegean on Sunday, many of which stronger than 4-magnitude.
“We would like to see a gradual tapering of seismic activity, but, for the moment, the opposite is happening,” he said.
The earthquake experts’ attention has shifted from the Santorini caldera to the site of Anydros, where the activity is entirely due to tectonic, not volcanic, activity.
Karastathis says that any comparison with the great earthquake of 1956 (7.1 magnitude) is far-fetched.
Back then, technology was far less accurate. The exact epicenter and depth of that earthquake are still controversial.
“Comparing that earthquake with the current (active) zone is wrong,” he says, noting the need for more and ore accurate data, by installing seismograph in the current fault zone.
An Institute of Geodynamics team will travel to the islands of Anafi and Amorgos Monday to set up seismographs.
“It is the first time the (Climate Crisis and Civil Protection) Ministry has called us in such a timely way, so that we could plot our moves…if we adopt this stance of prevention and alertness, we will greatly benefit,” Karastathis says.
It was prevention that the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, empahasized following a meeting, Sunday night, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Experts and the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff also attended.
Special Fire Service rescue teams, including at least one sniffer dog, have deployed on the island of Santorini, pitching tents in open fields. Residents have been advised not to congregate, drive carefully to avoid rockfalls and drain their swimming pools.
Schools on the islands of Amorgos, Anafi, Ios and Santorini will remain closed Sunday.
Also, boat owners have been advised to prepare to assist in an evacuation, although there is no sign thus far that one will be needed.
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