Santorini Earthquakes – Ganas: Caldera Uplift Due to Magma Intrusion – Unprecedented Seismic Crisis

Scientists, including Thanasis Ganas, the General Director of Research at the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, are closely monitoring thousands of earthquakes in Santorini. Speaking about an unprecedented seismic crisis not only in Greece but globally, Ganas explained that a swarm of earthquakes dominates the area between Santorini and Amorgos. He noted that there is no main earthquake in the traditional sense, and it’s uncertain if the 5.2 magnitude quake is the peak. Since December 31st, there have been 169 earthquakes with magnitudes above 4 and below 5.2 on the Richter scale. Data from satellites reveal deformation of the ground in the caldera due to magma intrusion, confirming significant underground activity. However, Ganas clarified that there is no immediate danger for either the Santorini caldera or the Koloubo volcano. The observed ground deformation is attributed to magma rising from the Earth’s mantle into the magma chamber at a depth of 3 kilometers, equivalent to 5 million cubic meters, compared to 12 million cubic meters during the 2011-2012 crisis. Continuous monitoring is ongoing.