On March 20, 2025, at 10:42 local time, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck 50 kilometers south of Santorini, Greece, at a depth of 10 kilometers, as reported by the Automatic Solution of the EAA/GI.
This minor quake is the latest in a series of seismic events that have kept the region on edge since late January 2025, when an unprecedented swarm of tremors began. While this quake is unlikely to cause damage due to its modest size and offshore location, it follows a turbulent period that led to a state of emergency being declared on Santorini on February 6, 2025.
The emergency status, enacted after a magnitude 5.2 quake—the strongest in the swarm—shook the island, remains in effect until at least March 3, 2025, though extensions have been considered due to persistent seismic activity. Over 11,000 residents and tourists evacuated in February amid fears of larger quakes, with the Greek government mobilizing emergency services and closing schools. Although seismic intensity has reportedly decreased since mid-February, with daily quake counts dropping, the region continues to experience 15-30 minor tremors per day, keeping authorities vigilant.
Located along the tectonically active South Aegean Volcanic Arc, Santorini’s latest quake underscores the island’s ongoing geological unrest, though experts maintain the activity remains tectonic rather than volcanic in nature.