Israel—like Turkey—is preparing and conducting studies on the possibility of a tsunami strike amid seismic activity in Amorgos and Santorini.
Israel fears the worst-case scenario from the unusual seismic activity between Santorini and Amorgos and is preparing for the possibility of a tsunami reaching its shores.
Whether caused by a major earthquake or a volcanic eruption, Israeli authorities consider a tsunami highly likely—pointing out that such events have occurred many times in the past—and are taking measures to protect against it.
On Wednesday, the deputy head of the National Security Council convened an emergency meeting on tsunamis with representatives from emergency services and officials from multiple ministries, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The newspaper notes that although it is impossible to predict when and where the next tsunami will strike or the extent of the flooding it may cause, the probability increases during periods of heightened seismic activity, as is currently happening in Greece.
The seismic sequence in Santorini has raised alarms in many countries that could potentially face a tsunami in the Mediterranean.
Israel is part of a regional tsunami warning system that can issue alerts as soon as a tsunami wave is detected.
The country has also installed specialized sensors at various points along its coastline.
Tsunamis are a series of very long waves, usually triggered by an earthquake.
When these waves reach shallow waters, they can rise significantly and hit the shore with immense force.
Tsunami waves can continue arriving for hours, and the first wave is not necessarily the largest or most destructive.
Flooding on land can last from a few hours to several days.
In the event of a tsunami warning, coastal residents should follow the evacuation routes designated by local authorities.
Cities like Haifa have developed evacuation plans with clear signage directing residents to safe locations.
Officials advise residents to evacuate on foot rather than by car, so roads remain clear for emergency services.
Israel's Home Front Command urges families to prepare by discussing the possibility of a tsunami, creating an emergency plan, and ensuring that each member knows what to do in case of danger.
What Israeli Scientists Say About the Tsunami Risk
Ariel Heiman, chief geologist at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), spoke about the intense seismic activity in the Aegean and the possibility of a tsunami.
"About 2,000 earthquakes have occurred in Santorini in the past week, with the strongest measuring between 4.0 and 5.3 magnitude, including 24 in the last 24 hours.
"These earthquakes result from the subduction of the African tectonic plate beneath the European plate, a phenomenon that also leads to volcanic eruptions," he explained.
Heiman noted that *"such a cluster of earthquakes could precede a major earthquake that might occur soon.
However, there is also a significant chance that after a period of such seismic activity, the phenomenon will subside and calm will return."*
Although the situation requires attention, Heiman reassured that Israel is about 1,200 kilometers from Santorini, meaning that even a strong earthquake there would not be felt—or if it were, it would not cause damage.
However, since the epicenters of these earthquakes are located at sea, a powerful tremor could generate tsunami waves that might reach Israel’s shores.
*"A tsunami wave takes time to travel across the Mediterranean, and even if an earthquake triggers a tsunami, there will be sufficient time to issue a warning before it arrives.
Therefore, we must remain vigilant but not alarmed. This is an opportunity to remember that a major earthquake in Israel is not a question of 'if' but 'when,' and it is crucial to prepare accordingly for this threat,"* he stated.
