A warning has been issued by the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), Efthymios Lekkas, based on the latest seismic data for the wider Santorini area.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Civil Protection, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and a subsequent press conference, OASP President Efthymios Lekkas spoke about the risk of landslides in Santorini and Amorgos in light of recent seismic activity.
"Santorini is a unique place in the world. It may be the most beautiful spot on Earth, as evidenced by its enormous caldera, measuring 8 by 11 kilometers, the largest volcanic eruption that occurred 3,500 years ago, and the civilization that developed alongside the volcano’s activity. The island's extraordinary natural and built environment was shaped by geodynamic hazards, particularly volcanic, seismic, and landslide risks, as well as erosion. These factors created Santorini’s one-of-a-kind volcanic complex," Lekkas said.
He emphasized that these hazards tend to manifest periodically and that the current concern is the landslide risk, which continuously reshapes the island’s dramatic caldera cliffs. "The landslide risk along nearly the entire length of Santorini’s caldera slopes is high, as is the overall exposure, given that these locations attract large crowds for at least eight months each year," he added.
Lekkas then identified five areas of Santorini that face significant landslide risk, stressing the urgent need for protective measures:
Old Port of Fira
Athinios Port and the road network connecting Ormos Athinios to Firostefani
Oia – Ammoudi area
Oia – Armeni area
Thirassia
