Several more earthquakes have struck the waters around the Greek island of Santorini just hours after authorities declared a state of emergency, according to BBC News.
The tourist hotspot has experienced intense seismic activity throughout the week, with thousands of tremors recorded since last Friday.
On Thursday evening, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurred at 20:16 local time (18:00 GMT) in the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, followed by a 4.2-magnitude tremor roughly two hours later.
Amid fears of looting, Santorini residents have started night patrols. The island has been largely deserted, as more than 11,000 people have left, with authorities confirming that earthquakes are being recorded almost every minute.
Experts Warn of Ongoing ‘Seismic Crisis’
Seismologists remain uncertain about when the current period of heightened activity will end. BBC News reports that while Thursday’s quakes were not as strong as the 5.2-magnitude tremor that struck on Wednesday, authorities are still bracing for the possibility of a larger quake.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries or major damage on the island. However, officials have warned about the risk of landslides in certain areas, urging residents to remain cautious.
Understanding Earthquake Magnitudes
Earthquake magnitude measures the energy released during a quake. A 6.0 magnitude or higher is classified as severe, while a 5.2 magnitude, like the strongest recorded in Santorini so far, is considered moderate.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as uncertainty remains over how long the seismic activity will persist.
