State of emergency declared on Amorgos, second Greek island after Santorini, as undersea earthquakes continue

State of emergency declared on Amorgos, second Greek island after Santorini, as undersea earthquakes continue

Rishika Yadav

The Greek island of Amorgos was placed under a state of emergency on February 13, following a similar declaration for Santorini on February 7, due to an intense earthquake swarm near Santorini, Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi. The measure will remain in place at least until March 11.

The declaration aims to mobilize emergency services and resources as seismic activity continues to intensify.

An M4.2 earthquake struck the sea between Santorini and Amorgos at 01:02 LT (23:02 UTC) on February 13. The Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens recorded the epicenter 23 km (14.3 miles) southwest of Arkesini, Amorgos, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). 

Just a minute later, another M4.2 earthquake with the same epicenter occurred, measuring 229 km (142 miles) southeast of Athens.

Seismologists had initially anticipated a decline in earthquake frequency but the emergence of multiple earthquakes exceeding M5 has raised concerns. The epicenters of the earthquakes are shifting northward, approaching Amorgos, increasing the likelihood of further earthquakes in the region.

The University of Athens’ crisis management committee has recorded approximately 12 000 earthquakes exceeding M1 in the southeastern Aegean since January 26, 2025. While Greece is among the most seismically active regions in Europe, this extended sequence of earthquakes is considered highly unusual.

The swarm’s location suggests the potential involvement of the Kolumbos submarine volcano, located just 6.5 km (4 miles) northeast of Santorini. Kolumbo is part of the larger Santorini volcanic complex and is known for its major eruption in 1650 which caused damage and fatalities because of pyroclastic flows, tsunamis, and gas emissions.

The volcano remains active, with hydrothermal activity and periodic seismic swarms, making it a key focus for monitoring in the region. Investigations are underway to determine whether the seismicity is caused by tectonic stress along the Kolumbos and Kameni fault systems or deeper magmatic processes.

Emergency responders including fire departments, police, coast guard, and armed forces, have been mobilized to the affected islands. In Santorini, many residents and seasonal workers have voluntarily evacuated. Authorities continue to assess the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure across multiple islands.