Amorgos Follows Santorini in Emergency Response to Ongoing Seismic Activity

ATHENS, Greece — A state of emergency was declared Wednesday on the Greek island of Amorgos as a relentless series of earthquakes continues to shake the southeastern Aegean Sea region. This follows a similar declaration on nearby Santorini on February 7, prompted by thousands of unusual tremors detected in an undersea area affecting Amorgos, Santorini, Ios, and Anafi – all popular tourist hotspots.

Despite earlier hopes from scientists that the seismic activity was diminishing, a series of magnitude-5 earthquakes has reignited concerns. Seismologists have observed that the epicenter of the quakes is gradually shifting northward toward Amorgos.

The emergency declaration enables a swift deployment of resources and emergency services to the affected areas. Authorities have already mobilized fire departments, police, coast guard units, and armed forces, particularly on Santorini, where many residents and seasonal workers have evacuated.

Since January 26, more than 12,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 1 have been recorded, according to the University of Athens’ crisis management committee. Although Greece is located in a seismically active region, the intensity and persistence of this seismic swarm are highly unusual.