Quakes ‘every 10 mins’ on Santorini could trigger volcano, experts fear as holiday hotspot becomes ghost town & 9k flee

EARTHQUAKES rocking Santorini could trigger a volcano, experts fear, as residents and tourists continue to flee the holiday hotspot.

As seismic activity in Santorini and nearby islands grows more intense, these areas are experiencing frequent tremors, leading observers to describe the region as if it were “dancing.”

Aerial view of Fira town, Santorini, Greece.
A view of the town of Fira on the Greek Island of Santorini, in the Agean Sea, completely desolateCredit: AFP
Tourists leaving a Santorini village with luggage.
Tourists carry their luggage as they leave the village of Fira, following increased seismic activity on the island of Santorini, GreeceCredit: Reuters
A narrow street lined with white buildings and closed shops, two people walking away from the camera.
Tourists pass by closed shops in Fira town as Greek authorities are taking emergency measures in response to intense seismic activity in SantoriniCredit: AP
Ocean view from a patio with a statue and small tables.
The volcanic island of Nea Kameni, left, is seen from Fira town as Greek authorities are taking emergency measures in response to intense seismic activityCredit: AP

Between Friday and Tuesday, over 550 tremors have been registered in the sea surrounding Santorini, along with neighboring islands such as Amorgos and Ios.

Today, within a span of 50 minutes, Amorgos and Anafi felt a staggering total of six earthquakes, the most significant one reaching almost a magnitude of 4 on the Richter scale.

Despite suggestions of the quakes being linked to Santorini’s volcano initially getting shut down, experts who participated in meetings led by Greece’s Prime Minister argue otherwise.

Director of Research of the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, Thanasis Ganas, said that all the efforts of the country and scientists are being made to prepare for the worst case scenario – a tsunami or volcanic eruption.

He said on Greece’s First Program: “Either we will have a series of aftershocks, meaning magnitudes that will be in the order of 4.5 to 4.7 [on the Richter scale] at most last night at 7:45 PM, or we will have a larger seismic tremor that could cause a tsunami and some volcanic eruption.

“So we are preparing for these scenarios.”

The expert explained that it’s currently unknown how the sequence of tremors will evolve between Santorini and Andydros, meaning that it’s a waiting game “to see the evolution of the phenomenon”.

Between Santorini there are various volcanoes that could erupt – but the most feared is the “very active” Kolumbo, just 8km northeast of the island.

Data shows an increase in gases from the volcano, with scientists paying close attention to see how it may develop.

On Monday there were 12 tremors above 4 on the Richter scale which marks a terrifying “intense development” that experts are having to watch closely.

If an earthquake between 5 and 6 were to occur, “it may create a landslide which may create a tsunami” which has been described as a “possible scenario”.

Large group of people taking a selfie at sunset.
Santorini is a top holiday hotspot due to the stunning scenery
Crowded Santorini streets at dusk.
On the island, thousands of tourists are often choking narrow alleyways
Couple posing at sunset overlooking a Greek village.
Tourists getting their photo take in Santorini with the sun setting in the background

Director of the Geodynamic Institute of the Athens Observatory, Vasilis Karastathis, also warned on Monday that the quakes were “unusual,” especially in such a short period of time.

Phones on the island blared terrifying alert warnings about the slides as various earthquakes caused deafening rumbles.

Schools were closed and emergency crews deployed in Santorini as fears grew of devastation from the quakes.

Citizens and visitors have been speaking out about their fears from the quakes and consequential landslides – with over 9,000 to have fled Santorini in the past 24 hours.

Traffic has been piling up on the roads leading to the island’s port and the airport, with all flights departing full.

But those remaining in Santorini fear the constant seismic vibrations, with many sleeping in their cars or outdoors in case their homes were to collapse.

One resident, Michalis Gerontakis, said: “I have never felt anything like this and with such frequency – an earthquake every 10 or 20 minutes.

People boarding a ferry in Piraeus.
People board a ferry to Piraeus, following an increase in seismic activity on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Alkis KonstantinidisCredit: Reuters
Firefighter walking past tents set up on a wet basketball court.
A firefighter walks next to tents used by emergency crews, during increased seismic activityCredit: Reuters
People loading cars onto a ferry.
Motorists and travellers wait on the quayside for the arrival of the ferry at the port on the Greek Island of SantoriniCredit: AFP

“Everyone is anxious even if some of us hide it not to cause panic, but everyone is worried.”

Another local, Nadia Benomar, explained: “We’ve had earthquakes before but never anything like this. This feels different.”

Authorities have banned access to some spots by the sea, including Santorini’s famous old port, due to the close proximity to the cliffs.

Mr Ganas believes the “most likely thing” is for the sequence to “evolve without further escalation”.

Landslides began to devastate the beautiful Santorini coasts due to the intense tremors.

Unbelievable footage shows rocks dramatically fall, leaving behind large clouds of dust just along the edge of Santorini’s stunning, all-white landscape.

Rocks were also captured plummeting into the sea as residents and visitors watched on in horror.

Rockfall on a mountainside.
Landslides after continuous tremors have occurred in SantoriniCredit: Facebook
Rockfall into the sea.
The falling land left behind clouds of dustCredit: Facebook
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