Schools on Greece’s Aegean islands of Santorini, Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi are scheduled to reopen on March 4 after being closed for several weeks due to a significant earthquake swarm that affected the region from late January to mid-February.
Despite ongoing minor tremors, experts have expressed confidence that the seismic activity is subsiding, allowing life to return to normal following the “Clean Monday” holiday, a religious fasting day in Greece.
Inspections of public buildings across the islands have confirmed that they withstood the earthquakes and are safe for reopening. However, enhanced safety measures will be in place, and residents are encouraged to exercise caution when traveling and to inspect their homes and businesses for any possible damage.
The earthquake swarm near Santorini, which gradually decreased after a month of tremors, involved undersea shocks, sometimes recorded only minutes apart. These tremors led to thousands of residents and workers fleeing the iconic clifftop towns of Santorini and nearby islands.
The Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management at the University of Athens reported a steady decline in seismic activity, noting that both the frequency and strength of earthquakes have decreased. Since February 15, no new micro-seismic surges have been observed.
The committee recorded more than 20,000 earthquakes of magnitude 1 or higher between January 26 and February 22. The tremors, caused by natural tectonic movements and magma shifts below the seabed, reached a maximum magnitude of 5.3 but only caused minor damage.
Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos confirmed that several thousand people had returned to the island since mid-February and urged government authorities to provide additional support, including controlling rockfalls and repairing hillslope fencing.
Santorini, renowned for its volcanic caldera, is part of a volcanic arc with underwater volcanoes near its coast, including Nea Kameni and Kolumbo, which last erupted in 1950 and 1650, respectively.
The Greek government declared a state of emergency for Santorini and Amorgos at the start of February, closing schools and prompting many residents to leave the island. Santorini, which hosted 3.4 million visitors in 2023, has faced ongoing concerns over over-tourism.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced a support package for local businesses and workers in Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations.