Thousands of Earthquakes Happen in Greece Since January 28th

Rubble after an earthquake

By Rosalie McGinn,  March 10th 2025

12,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than one have been registered near Greece’s volcanic island and popular tourist destination of Santori and Amorgos as of January 28th, with larger earthquakes expected to be on their way. These earthquakes bring with them a fear of volcanic activity. 

Thousands have evacuated the islands, including but not limited to seasonal workers, tourists, and locals, with schools in Santori having been declared to close for at least a week. 

This unusual barrage of earthquakes has triggered a state of emergency, sending rescue crews, drones, and sniffer dogs to the islands, with the coast guard and navy ready to assist when needed. Extra doctors and paramedics have been sent as well, with six disaster medical teams on stand-by along with the navy and coast guard. 

A state of emergency was declared on a second Greek island, Amorgos, as the earthquakes worsened there in follow up to Santori’s earthquakes. 

Although Greece lies in a seismically active part of the world, the number of earthquakes over this period of time with no signs of coming to a stop has been concerning for locals and tourists, specifically because of volcanic activity around the islands. 

Scientists have been closely monitoring the earthquakes and the two volcanoes in the area. Although they hope the seismic activity could be easing up, a new string of earthquakes around magnitude 5 have furthered concerns.  

Scientists are unsure if these earthquakes could be a big lead up to a possible “finale earthquake”, which would be much worse in comparison to what the islands have had so far, or if they will continue at low magnitudes, ranging to stay for several weeks or possibly months. 

The largest earthquake so far struck Monday night, February 10th, with a magnitude of 5.2 and was followed two hours later with an earthquake with a magnitude of 5. 

Scientists have deployed more surveying equipment in the area as of Tuesday, February 11th to further monitor the situation, the University of Athens said. Along with this, seismologists and volcanologists met with government officials Tuesday evening to discuss the situation and possible solutions. 

Santorini itself took its’ crescent shape after a massive volcanic eruption, one of the largest known eruptions in human history.  

This leaves residents in fear on whether they are to expect volcanic activity, a continued barrage of low powered earthquakes, or an earthquake not imaginable compared to the rest.