Greece Holds Emergency Meeting Amid Ongoing Seismic Swarm in Aegean Sea

On February 16, Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection held a crucial meeting to address the ongoing seismic swarm in the Aegean Sea. Led by Professor Efthimios Lekkas, President of the Organization of Anti-Seismic Planning and Protection (OASP), the session aimed to assess the situation and discuss public safety measures.

Since the start of February, thousands of earthquakes have been recorded, with the most significant being a M5.3 quake on February 4. The swarm is attributed to submarine faults running northeast-southwest, influenced by regional tectonic forces and magmatic activity. As concerns about a potential escalation grow, the government is actively monitoring the situation.

Authorities have already closed schools on nearby islands like Santorini, Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos until at least February 21 as a precaution. The Ministry of Civil Protection is focused on reducing risks for residents while scientists work to analyze the evolving situation.

Minister Vassilis Kikilias emphasized the state’s commitment to preparedness. Plans are underway to improve emergency infrastructure, including the construction of a new port on Santorini and a secure emergency escape port. Kikilias warned that a larger earthquake could still occur and urged residents to stay vigilant.

In addition to safety measures, a comprehensive emergency response force has been deployed to the region, including military, medical, and telecommunications teams to ensure effective communication and aid. The Hellenic Electricity and Telecommunications Authority is ready to restore power in case of outages.

Authorities have issued safety recommendations, such as avoiding large indoor gatherings, staying away from weak buildings, and evacuating coastal areas if strong ground shaking occurs. Special attention is also being given to volcanic activity in Santorini and the surrounding islands.

With volcanic unrest observed at Nea Kameni and Kolumbo, scientists are closely monitoring these sites to ensure public safety. Santorini’s caldera remains stable, but increased ground deformation is being analyzed for deeper geological activity.