Santorini's Earthquake Alarm: A Wake-Up Call for Tourism and Safety Regulations
This week, hundreds of small earthquakes have rattled Santorini, a popular tourist destination in Greece, reigniting concerns over the safety and sustainability of extensive construction along the island's volcanic cliffs. While no serious damage has been reported, scientists caution that the seismic activity could persist for weeks, and the threat of a larger quake remains.
Experts like Dimitris Papanikolaou, a geology professor at the University of Athens, have long raised alarms about the rapid development transforming Santorini into one of Europe’s sought-after holiday spots. "They wanted to develop the island and didn’t pay attention to environmental and safety issues," Papanikolaou stated. The impact of this oversight is evident today, with luxury hotels and amenities precariously positioned on landslide-prone slopes, where the volcanic soil is soft and unstable. "Nothing should have been built in this zone. It’s a danger zone for as long as the seismic activity lasts," he added.
In response to the tremors, the Greek government declared a state of emergency. Schools were closed, and the military was deployed to assist. Thousands of residents and tourists have opted to leave the island by ferry or plane, seeking safety as authorities issued landslide warnings for five areas, including Santorini’s main port. Areas along the caldera—where the sides rise steeply from the Aegean Sea—were cordoned off as a precaution.
The surge in tourism has raised pressing concerns about environmental degradation and resource management in Greece, particularly in Santorini, which experiences millions of visitors annually. Natural disasters have long been part of the island's history; it was formed from a massive volcanic eruption in 1600 BC and faced significant earthquakes in 1956. Since the 1980s, there has been a modern building boom to attract tourists, which some experts argue has been reckless.
Even prior to the recent quakes, there were calls for regulatory assessments to ensure that construction met safety standards. A 2021 report by the Hellenic Society for Environment and Cultural Heritage—ordered by the island's authorities—highlighted an urgent need for a soil engineering study to evaluate building safety on the caldera. According to data from the Technical Chamber of Greece, many structures lack proper permits, especially among tourism-driven businesses.
"It is crucial to immediately check the arbitrary construction taking place within the caldera," the report emphasized. This led the environment ministry to halt all construction on the caldera for a year last November, mandating that building owners complete risk assessments or risk losing their permits.
During a visit to Santorini amidst the crisis, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to reassure the public, asserting that strict building codes are enforced nationwide, particularly in earthquake-prone areas. "We feel very, very confident that everything that could be done has been done," he stated in an interview.
Many Santorini residents have adapted to the frequent shaking over the years, but the recent escalations raise concerns about the upcoming holiday season, set to begin in May. Local hotel owner Mathaios Kourgialis expressed his anxiety, noting that he has seen numerous cancellations this week. "If we continue for another couple of months with this situation, the season will be lost," he lamented.
As the island grapples with its dual identity as a natural wonder and a bustling tourist hub, the recent seismic activity serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the ongoing construction boom. With experts calling for urgent action to ensure safety and sustainability, the future of Santorini hangs in the balance.
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