The earthquake storm that continues in and around the Santorini (Thira) Volcano in the Aegean Sea continues to draw the attention of geophysicists. The tremors that are concentrated around the islands of Anafi, Amorgos, Aniye, Skinos and Naxos show that the activity in the region continues to grow.
Prof. Dr. Övgün Ahmet Ercan evaluated the seismic events and made important statements about whether the region will produce a major earthquake or give birth to a new volcano.
Earthquakes Concentrate in the Circle
Earthquakes in the region occur within a circle with a radius of approximately 50 km. Tremors ranging in magnitude from 1 to 5 are particularly concentrated at depths of 5 km. Some earthquakes also occur at different depths between 1 km and 26 km.
Prof. Dr. Ercan, stating that the earthquakes are non-directional and arranged in a circle, emphasizes that such small-scale collapse fractures may be the harbingers of a larger movement. The South Aegean subduction zone covers a region extending from Santorini to the Bozburun Küdür Volcano in Turkey and poses a first-degree earthquake risk.
Great Earthquake or New Volcano?
Geophysics experts predict that two different scenarios may occur because of this activity in the Aegean:
- Probability of a major earthquake:
According to Prof. Dr. Ercan, a large-scale earthquake that may occur here could cause a tsunami (sweep) wave in the Aegean Sea.
This tsunami could pose a serious risk to the Peloponnese coast of Greece, the Western Anatolian coast of Turkey, and the Aegean islands.
- Probability of a new volcano forming:
If a major earthquake does not occur, a new eruptive volcano could form approximately 50-60 km north of Santorini.
In such a case, hot ash clouds and volcanic gases could spread into the surrounding area and affect air traffic and living spaces.
There is no current threat to the Turkish coast
The distance between the Santorini circle and the Turkish coast is approximately 140-150 km. Prof. Dr. Ercan states that there is currently no immediate threat to the Turkish coast, but that activity continues, and the process should be monitored carefully.
Greece continues evacuation efforts on the island of Santorini. On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Ercan emphasizes that these natural events cannot be controlled and can only be observed. Source: https://yenisokegazetesi.com/
In a statement Prof. Dr. Ercan released on his twitter account Monday afternoon 3rd February. he said the following:
“For a few days, the earthquake in the Aegean Sea, the largest of which was M4.8 Richter, has been occurring on the island of Santorini, and the small earthquakes have been in the form of continuous tremors. The focal depths of the earthquakes and the small earthquakes being 1 to 5 km indicate that the earthquakes are of volcanic origin. Before the magma-related eruption, the pressure increase of around 250 bar originating from the magma chamber wants to pierce the earth’s crust and erupt with a temperature of 2200 C. If silicate lava erupts, the volcano can also throw bombs. If the eruption is accompanied by an earthquake, earthquakes that can occur around M5 and M7 can produce sweeping waves. These waves can affect the coastal zone of the Aegean Islands, Mora, Crete, Peloponnese, and our Teke Peninsula in Turkey. The settlements on Santorini and nearby islands should be evacuated, and sea transportation and fishing should be restricted.”
Dr. Ercan, on his own facebook page posted the following at approx. 09.30am Tuesday morning 4th February:
“THE EARTH PAIN IS RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AEGEAN SEA”
“The earthquake storm is striking in the Aegean. It is hitting within a circle of about 50 km radius surrounded by the volcanic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Amorgos, Aniye, Skinos and Naxos. The sting is so big. Doubtful of what she’ll deliver.
The sizes of this earthquake storm are small earthquakes between one and four, and also smaller earthquakes between four and five. These small earthquakes are located at a depth of 5 km in intensity. Some can find these depths of 1 km, some can reach up to 20-26 km.
There is no direction in the sequence of earthquakes
Earthquakes are usually in a circle shape and fractures here are in the form of very small migratory fractures.
There has been no decrease in the intensity of the earthquake for the past four days, the pain of the earth is continuing day by day.
The distance of Santorini circle to Turkey is 140-150 km and the distance of Athens is 140-150km right in the middle. The location in the north of Crete is about 150 km north of the South Aegean diving belt. This episode is the first time to dive into earthquake formation. This belt rides in the sea from Santorini Island to Bozburun Kür volcano in Turkey.
Geophysical point of concern here is this: I wonder if a new volcano will emerge about 50 to 60 km north of Santorini’s burning mountain at the end of this earthquake storm, or will there be a devastating big earthquake here?
The geophysical scientists are divided into two, the majority here expects a large-scale earthquake, and they expect that this earthquake will be accompanied by a sweeping wave and that these sweeping waves will have negative effects either on the coasts of Peleponese or on the coasters of Bay Anatolia of Turkey, as well as on islands. The other expectation is that there is a volcano that should not explode but should be sprayed here.
The effect of angry ash clouds that the spraying sticker affects the environment.
There are earthquakes, there’s rumbles and thunderstorms coming from the ground.
Events of nature cannot be controlled.
We are on standby now; we are just watching the events. There is no hesitation situation in question that will give warning on the shores of Turkey.
Greece continues to evacuate people, especially on Santorini Island, this is the situation.
Waiting for the result of the pain”
Images credits to: watchman’s earth & Prof. Dr. Ercan