Santorini has been rocked by yet another powerful earthquake as seismic activity continues to shake the Greek island.
Initially, local media reported the quake as a 5.3-magnitude, calling it the strongest among the hundreds of tremors recorded. However, in the hours following, it was revised to 5.2.
The earthquake struck at 10:16 PM local time on Monday, with its epicenter located 14 km southwest of Arkesini, in the waters between Santorini and Amorgos, according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Vasilis Karastathis, director of the Geodynamic Institute, confirmed the earthquake registered 5.3 on the Richter scale but reassured that it was not a major event. He explained that “it is no different from previous strong earthquakes of 5, 5.1, or 5.2 on the Richter scale”, as Santorini continues to experience tremors.
Authorities declared a state of emergency last week after the island was hit by thousands of quakes, which have been growing in strength and frequency.
On Saturday alone, eleven quakes measuring at least 4.0 were recorded, with dozens more reported in the days since.
Since February 1, the island has experienced over 800 tremors measuring at least magnitude 3, with experts warning of a ‘quake storm’ sweeping through the region.
The strongest quake previously recorded, a 5.2 magnitude event, struck last Wednesday, sending shockwaves as far as Athens, Crete, and even parts of Turkey.
Greece, known for its seismic activity, sits atop multiple fault lines, making it one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone nations.
