• Volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner The photo above was taken by Santorini volcanologist Sandy Drymoni. Last updated: 25 Feb 2025 (New Zealand time) 24 February Greece time. The Greek version of this page is here , where updates may be staggered as this is a joint effort with Sandy Drymoni. With the ongoing crisis in the area around Santorini in Greece, here are links to websites and information that we will update as we see it. I am working behind the scenes with scientists around the world to watch out for questions, misinformation, and concerns, and provide information where we can. There is high uncertainty involved. This is a very complex and evolving situation and we do not know where this will lead. Our thoughts are with the local communities experiencing the activity, and the local scientists working tirelessly to figure out what is happening. We are not forecasting what might happen next, we are not an observatory. This is simply to try to help with providing information in one place. This page has been started on 14 February 2025 (from New Zealand) and more will continue to be added until I indicate up the top that this is no longer being updated. Many of these resources are in Greek, I find that Google Chrome is good to use for the simple 'translate to English' option when you right-click on the page. ------ Information sources in Greece: Civil Protection updates: https://civilprotection.gov.gr/deltia-tupou --- Announcement from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Saturday, February 22, 2025 The Permanent Special Scientific Committee for Seismic Hazard Assessment and Seismic Risk Reduction and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc of the Hellenic Association The meeting was held at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in the presence of Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas, the Secretary General of Civil Protection Vassilis Papageorgiou , the Secretary General of Natural Disaster Rehabilitation and State Aid Petros Kampouris, the Commander of the Construction and Natural Disaster Response Administration (DIKAFKA) of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff Lieutenant General Michael Klouvas, as well as representatives of the leadership of the Fire Brigade. After discussion among the members of the Committees and the presentation and examination of all the data so far, the following are unanimously stated: The seismic sequence in the sea area of ​​Anydros between Thira and Amorgos is showing a decline, with 1,368 earthquakes from February 1 to date with a magnitude above 3.0 (and with a maximum recorded magnitude of M 5.3). The current seismic activity in the area of ​​Anydros island is due to submarine faults with a NE-SW direction and is part of the broader geodynamic context of the area. According to the available data, this activity is due to a combination of tectonics and deeper magmatism. Seismic activity within the caldera remains at the same levels, while a decrease in the rate of ground deformation is observed in the wider area of ​​Santorini, which is constantly monitored. Public buildings, based on inspections so far, have demonstrated very good behavior under seismic loads. The Committees recall the following preventive measures: Citizens should: Avoid large gatherings inside buildings. Avoid approaching abandoned buildings. Avoid accessing and staying in the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfou and the Old Port of Fira. To proceed with the removal of dangerous non-structural vulnerability elements in their buildings (heavy hanging objects, false ceilings, etc.) and the emptying of water in swimming pools. To choose safe routes when moving within the urban fabric and the provincial road network, especially in areas where there are sharp morphological gradients and landslides are likely to occur. There should be immediate evacuation from coastal areas in the event of strong seismic shaking. Schools will remain closed until Friday, February 28, 2025 in Thira, Ios, Anafi and Amorgos. The possible opening of schools in due time will be reviewed at the next joint meeting of the Committees. The Committees will meet again on Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 PM. With regard to informing citizens on earthquake protection issues, more information can be found on the websites of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization ( www.oasp.gr ) and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection ( www.civilprotection.gr ). --- Announcement from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, 16 February 2025 Civil Protection Announcement on Saturday, February 08, 2025 --- Santorini Municipality Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/santorinimunicipality Decision of the Deputy Mayor of Thira No. 51/2025 The Deputy Mayor of Thira Considering: 1. The provisions of article 58, paragraph 1, of Law 3852/2010 (Government Gazette 87/A/2010), 2. The provisions of article 75, paragraph I, subsection g, of law 3463/2006 (Government Gazette 114 A'/8.6.2006) "Ranking of the Code of Municipalities and Communities", according to which the responsibilities of the Municipalities include the coordination and supervision of civil protection work for the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of disasters occurring within their administrative boundaries, 3. Decision No. 8/09.01.2024 of the Mayor of Thira on the subject: "Appointment of Deputy Mayors of Thira, from 09.01.2024 to 30.06.2026" (Appointment: ROVMORN-KOE), 4. Nos. 56/01.2.25, 58/2.2.25, 62/3.2.25 and 82/8.2.25, 92/16.2.2025 and 111/22.2.2025 urgent documents of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, on the subject: Taking preventive civil protection measures due to the current seismic activity in the Thira area. 5. Decision No. A479/05.02.2025 of the Secretary General of Civil Protection on the declaration of an emergency Civil Protection Need for the Municipality of Thira. 6. Decision No. 2501/10/607-a of the Director of the General Regional Police Directorate of the South Aegean on the subject of traffic regulations on the island of Thira due to intense seismic activity. 7. Decision No. 2501/10/608-a of the Director of the General Regional Police Directorate of the South Aegean on traffic regulations on the island of Thirassia due to intense seismic activity. 8. Document No. 60773/11.02.2025 of the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades on the subject of taking measures for the safety of residents and passers-by in the area of ​​Goulas Emporio, Thira. 9. The update of the recommendation for the suspension of construction work due to seismic activity of the Association of Engineers of the District of Thira, dated 12.2.2025. We decide We are updating the measures taken with Decisions Nos. 27/2025, 28/2025, 33/2025, 37/2025, 44/2025 and 46/2025 of the Deputy Mayor of Thira, for the adoption of preventive civil protection measures due to the current seismic activity in the Thira area as follows: A. The suspension of the operation of educational units in the Municipality of Thira (kindergartens, kindergartens, primary and secondary education) until Friday 28/2/2025, B. The cancellation of scheduled events and gatherings in closed spaces of the Municipality of Thira, until Friday 28/2/2025, C. Avoiding access to and stay in Ammoudi, Armeni, the Old Port of Fira and the Gulf of Thirassia, D. Informing citizens: avoid approaching abandoned buildings, to choose safe routes when moving within the urban fabric and the provincial road network, especially in areas where there are sharp morphological gradients and landslides are likely to occur, to immediately move away from coastal areas in the event of strong seismic vibrations, to proceed with the removal of dangerous non-structural vulnerability elements in their buildings (heavy hanging objects, false ceilings, etc.), E. The immediate emptying of water in swimming pools, F. Avoiding access to and stay in the port of Athinios, with the exception of ship mooring hours, G. The prohibition of all types of construction work only in the Caldera area of ​​the Municipality of Thira until Sunday 2/3/2025. Interventions for municipal and public works are excluded, H. The prohibition of approaching the area around Goulas Emporio, I. The prohibition of construction work requiring scaffolding as well as the prohibition of the removal of existing scaffolding throughout the Municipality of Thira until further notice. ----- Monitoring information Is there increased volcanic activity in Kolumbo? Scientists are scanning the area with special instruments, 13 February 2025: https://www.skai.gr/news/greece/seismoi-santorini-elegxoun-to-ifaisteio-koloumpo-kai-ta-rigmata-gia-aeria Daily monitoring updates are given here: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens communications hub https://hub.uoa.gr/ Example: Saturday 15/2/2025 (seismicity up to and including February 14, 2025) | Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management of the National University of Athens https://hub.uoa.gr/ektakti-anakoinosi-savvato-15-2-2025-seismikotita-eos-kai-14-fevrouariou-2025-diepistimoniki-epitropi-diacheirisis-kindynon-kai-kriseon-ekpa/ The SANTORY program who are part of monitoring efforts of Kolumbo volcano: https://www.facebook.com/santoryproject --- Interviews with local/Greek experts or local sources An important note: Please use the links provided to read more comments about the situation, dates are provided. Events are complex and changing, and even when signals indicate magma or fluid movement this does not mean an eruption is imminent. Scientists have also discussed the risk of a larger earthquake in the area, but this is also uncertain. It is normal early on in a situation to have different scenarios under consideration, and different possible interpretations of what the early data is saying. Please see the ‘Addressing questions’ section further down this page for more broad context. Here are a range of comments by Greek/local scientists, and examples of local websites where you can keep an eye out for more information. In situations with high uncertainty like this one, we need to be mindful that it is still unfolding, know where to look for more information, be very wary of misinformation, and if you are local, know what you need to do to be prepared just in case. Translations from Greek below. -  Professor Efthymios Lekkas, head of the state-run Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, warned on Sunday that seismic activity on Santorini is expected to continue for an extended period. “It will be a prolonged sequence lasting several weeks, possibly even a few months. This type of seismic activity does not subside easily,” he stated in an interview with public broadcaster ERTNews. Lekkas further explained that the total number of tremors has already exceeded 20,000 earthquakes. “We are dealing with a unique phenomenon in a unique region. The risk has not been eliminated, just as the risk is never zero anywhere in Greece,” he added. While the possibility of a 6.0-magnitude earthquake remains on the table, he said that the likelihood is significantly lower. 23 February 2025. https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1262423/seismic-activity-in-santorini-to-persist-expert-says/ -  Santorini landslide risk study underway amid seismic activity. A detailed study of Santorini’s terrain is being conducted to identify areas at high risk of landslides following more than 21,500 earthquakes recorded in the region since January 26. Of these, 18,600 exceeded magnitude 1.0 on the Richter scale. The research is led by the Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Professor Efthymios Lekkas, along with professors Niki Evelpidou and Asimina Antonarakou, is assessing the island’s slopes, which have been destabilized by the seismic activity. Although the frequency of earthquakes has decreased since mid-February, risks remain high in areas with steep gradients, weak rock composition and human activity. Zones of differential erosion, where softer rocks erode and expose harder layers, are particularly vulnerable, as are volcanic lava formations. 20 February 2025. https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1262205/santorini-landslide-risk-study-underway-amid-seismic-activity/ -  Evi Nomikou: “We should not confuse volcanic activity with magmatic processes” "We should not confuse volcanic activity with the magmatic processes that occur in the bowels of the earth," explains the scientist, clarifying that the magmatic processes that occur in the bowels of the earth are a different phenomenon and, as she adds, "they always happen" from the volcanic eruption that occurs on the surface of the seabed or in Nea Kameni… "It is an area that we know is a seismic area that has many fault zones, many faults that have been activated and according to the findings of the committees, there are some very deep magmatic processes, a diapiric material which, the fluids, as in any case, rise to the surface, create gravitational movements, therefore we have the movements of the faults as they are."... 17 February 2025 https://cyclades24.gr/2025/02/evi-nomikou-den-prepei-na-berdevoume-tin-ifaisteiaki-drastiriotita-me-tis-magmatikes-diergasies/#google_vignette -  Vasilis Kikilias: Prevention, preparation and organization for all scenarios. “The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview on ANT1's "Good Morning Greece" show with journalist Giorgos Papadakis, referred to the seismic activity recorded in Santorini, the preventive measures taken by the State and the overall operational readiness of the state mechanism. As Mr. Kikilias emphasized, "scientists cannot make accurate predictions about earthquakes, but estimates based on scientific data. This forces us as an organized State to take all necessary preventive measures to protect citizens. The Minister pointed out that there is a possibility of a larger earthquake in the region, which makes constant vigilance and timely preparation necessary. "A large earthquake can cause extensive damage or even a tsunami. The residents of Santorini and the surrounding islands should know that, in the event of a large earthquake, they should immediately leave coastal and low-lying areas and move to safer, higher ground," he stressed. Referring to volcanic activity, he said that "There is the uniqueness of Santorini with the volcano in Nea Kameni. It has had a slight excitation in recent months. There is the other volcano, Kolumbo. There has been a permanent activation in recent years that has been monitored by scientists from Greece and abroad. There is also a fault, on the route from Santorini to Amorgos, which causes prolonged seismic activity, as there is magma in the bowels of the Earth. The magma is located 5 kilometers down, according to scientists." In addition, he confirmed that a small deformation of the ground and movement of the entire island has been recorded, a phenomenon that had also occurred in 2011-2012. "Scientists are monitoring the phenomenon closely. This may evolve at a slow or accelerated pace and is being continuously evaluated," he said.The Minister made special reference to the public debate surrounding seismic activity, calling for restraint and responsibility in statements. "We are talking about people who are not required to know scientific terms - it is our islanders, it is the economy, it is tourism. There is no room for alarmism, but neither for complacency," he stressed… 17 February 2025 https://civilprotection.gov.gr/deltia-tupou/basilis-kikilias-prolipsi-proetoimasia-kai-organosi-gia-ola-ta-senaria -  Santorini earthquake outlook remains uncertain, expert says. “Unfortunately, for now, we must wait. These seismic sequences do not end quickly. They follow their own timeline,” seismologist Costas Papazachos told state-run ERT radio on Monday… “The root cause of the activity is the interaction of tectonic and magmatic processes,” he said. “That does not mean that the molten material – the magma – will manage to break through 8 kilometers of crust and reach the surface, causing a new volcanic eruption.” Scientists were developing a clearer picture after gathering data from multiple sensors, he said. “We are monitoring not only seismographs but also numerous other systems that track ground deformation, gas emissions, and satellite data,” he said. “At this moment, I can honestly say we do not have a definitive forecast, as it is too early to assess the current slight de-escalation of seismic activity. We have encountered many surprises.” 17 February 2025 https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1261948/santorini-earthquake-outlook-remains-uncertain-expert-says/ -  Scientists explain what this rumbling from underground is - "Yesterday's tremors in Santorini were clearly volcanic," says Synolakis…" Mr. Papanikolaou pointed out that it is common to hear noises during earthquakes. "Small surface earthquakes, since they break, when the rock breaks and causes the earthquake, the friction that causes the breaking is what spreads especially through the sea and this hum reaches everywhere," he said.He expressed the hope that this calm that has prevailed in recent days "will, let's hope, actually be some de-escalation." "We have to be very careful, cautious. We will be patient for a few days to see how things develop," he emphasized. The director of the Geodynamic Institute pointed out that "the nature of this seismic sequence is such that it forces us to maintain reservations. There are always fluctuations, but in recent days there has been a decline compared to the first days of the phenomenon. If this trend continues, we can be optimistic." However, he noted that "seismic activity is not examined in isolation. It is important to evaluate other factors, such as ground deformations… Last night, earthquakes of a different type were recorded, indicating that volcanic magma is rising. Although the vibrations stopped within an hour and a half, it was clear that these were purely volcanic earthquakes," Mr. Synolakis told ERT… "Let's leave aside scenarios of "major disasters" that only lead to panic and uncertainty," volcanologist Evi Nomikou asked in a Facebook post...  15 February 2025 ttps://www.skai.gr/news/greece/oi-epistimones-eksigoun-ti-einai-ayto-to-vouito-apo-to-ypedafos-ifaisteiakes-oi-xthesines - Interview with Dimitris Papanikolaou: “The emeritus professor of Geology and researcher of Santorini's volcanoes explains why we are living in historic times. When did scientists start to worry, the three "zones" on the island, the movement of magma, the volcanic chain of Kolumbo cones and the intense years of the 1980s and 1990s” 14 February 2025. https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/interviews/563468665/i-sminoseira-sti-santorini-kai-ta-richter-stin-koinotita-ton-seismologon/ - Earthquakes in the Cyclades: Ios also in a state of emergency: “On Sunday 16/2 at 9:00 in the morning, the two committees (the Permanent Scientific Committee for Seismic Hazard Assessment and Seismic Hazard Reduction and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc of the Hellenic Association of Geophysical Surveys) are expected to meet, regarding seismic activity in the maritime area of ​​Anydros, between Santorini and Amorgos… All scenarios are possible, scientists will say, regarding the connection between the volcano and the [earthquakes]." 14 February 2025 https://www.tovima.gr/2025/02/14/society/seismoi-stis-kyklades-se-katastasi-ektaktis-anagkis-kai-i-ios/#google_vignette - Evi Nomikou (professor of Geology at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens) on ERTNews: "We have no indications of an eruption at the underwater volcano of Kolumbo" 12 February 2025: https://www.ertnews.gr/dimosio-vima/arthrografia/eyi-nomikou-sto-ertn