Santorini’s seismic story still unfolding

[John Liakos/Intime News]

Santorini’s caller seismic slowdown has not ended the underlying crisis, scientists say, arsenic caller information amusement persistent deformation crossed the southern Aegean volcanic arc.

Seismicity has declined since the February 2025 surge, but “has not returned to pre-crisis levels,” said Margarita Segou of the British Geological Survey. Weekly events supra magnitude 2 still bash not consistently autumn beneath five. More striking, researchers study accelerating aseismic deformation: The Cyclades are “opening” astatine 17 millimeters per year, up from 3.8.

“The country remains highly active,” she said, adding that the mechanics down past year’s situation “still exists.” The deeper causes persist, and scientists cannot foretell when slow deformation whitethorn turn seismic. Segou likened the process to chocolate: brittle when cold, pliant when warm. She urged faster information analysis, including real-time artificial intelligence, noting that Greece still lacks high-resolution imaging during earthquakes.

February’s situation shifted Astypalaia and Naxos by centimeters and sank the Kolumbo seafloor volcano by 19 centimeters. Findings will beryllium presented astatine the European Geosciences Union league successful Vienna connected Tuesday, highlighting the request for sustained monitoring and preparedness crossed the region.