Mystery Unfolds: Ongoing Earthquake Swarm Shakes Greek Island

For the past three weeks, Dionysia Kobaiou has been grappling with the mounting anxiety and stress experienced by her students on the Greek island of Amorgos, which has tremored under the strain of thousands of earthquakes. Following a directive from Greek authorities, she has transitioned to remote teaching after schools on Amorgos, its more renowned neighbor Santorini, and several adjacent islands were closed until at least February 21.

Some of her pupils have expressed uncertainty about whether they should seek refuge under their beds during tremors. “It mirrors the experience we endured during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kobiaou remarked to AFP. However, she noted that during the crisis of 2020-2021, “we could remain indoors and shield ourselves from the virus, whereas now we are constantly apprehensive about the next aftershock.”

Seismic Swarm

From January 26 to February 14, over 19,200 quakes were documented in the vicinity of the Cyclades archipelago, as reported by the University of Athens seismology laboratory. Amorgos and three other neighboring islands have entered a state of emergency pending resolution by March 11. Just recently, a 5.1-magnitude quake was recorded off Amorgos.

Despite the absence of casualties or significant structural damage, the persistent tremors, while diminishing in frequency and severity, continue to confound scientists. The island, accessible only by a lengthy winter ferry ride from Piraeus, has seen its 1,900 permanent residents largely remain, with only a few departing for professional or health-related reasons, as stated by Mayor Lefteris Karaiskos. Meanwhile, thousands have evacuated Santorini.

The island’s cafes and taverns remain shuttered during winter, and amidst the picturesque whitewashed chapels, life in the tranquil alleys is now characterized primarily by the chirping of frogs and the antics of kittens. Many tremors have been too weak to perceive, yet a notable 5.3-magnitude quake on February 10 sent residents into a frenzy, even being felt as far away as Athens.

With fatigue beginning to set in, one resident remarked on the anxious atmosphere while expressing relief regarding the recent decrease in tremor strength. As precautionary measures in the state of emergency, additional rescue personnel have been deployed from the mainland.

Reflecting on past earthquakes, locals reminisced about the catastrophic tremor of 1956, which registered between 7.5 and 7.7 on the Richter scale and was followed by a devastating tsunami. The memory evokes a shared apprehension among residents, with one elder recalling, “There was no information to guide us back then; we were utterly terrified. We do not wish to experience such devastation again.”

As seismic activity persists, Amorgos, surrounded by six fault lines, is enhancing its monitoring systems to deepen understanding of this occurrence. In the serene countryside, livestock amble as usual, although shepherds note that their flocks appear more skittish amidst the constant tremors.

At the Chozoviotissa Monastery, perched on a cliffside, only the rumbles of the earth disrupt the tranquility of the two monks and a volunteer who have embraced a solitary existence through winter. “If we must evacuate, this is the optimal spot for a swift exit to the tranquility of the heavens,” mused volunteer Constantin Papakonstantinou, gesturing toward the expanse of the Aegean below. However, a burgeoning concern looms over the islands, which rely heavily on the influx of tourists during the summer months, as one local cautioned, “Let us not dissuade visitors; we need them to return this summer!”

© Agence France-Presse