The recent series of small earthquakes in Santorini, Greece has raised concerns among experts about the safety of the island's extensive development on its steep volcanic cliffs. Although no significant damage has been reported, scientists caution that ongoing seismic activity could lead to more substantial quakes in the future.
Critics argue that the rapid development of Santorini into a popular holiday destination has neglected environmental and safety considerations. Dimitris Papanikolaou, a geology professor at the University of Athens, warned against building luxury hotels with precarious hanging structures on the island's unstable slopes.
Acknowledging the risks posed by the seismic activity, the government declared a state of emergency and evacuated thousands of residents and tourists. Landslide warnings were issued for multiple areas, and precautions have been taken to safeguard vulnerable regions along the caldera.
Santorini's tourism boom has drawn attention to concerns about water scarcity and overcrowding in Greece, with the island serving as an extreme example of these challenges. Efforts to assess building safety have been urged by experts even before the recent earthquakes, with calls for reinforcing structures and conducting soil engineering studies.
In response to these concerns, measures have been taken to regulate construction on the caldera, including requiring risk assessments for existing buildings. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis assured that Greece's strict building codes, especially in earthquake-prone areas, have been diligently enforced.
Local residents, accustomed to occasional earthquakes, express worries about the impact on the upcoming tourist season. Mathaios Kourgialis, a hotel owner on the caldera, has observed cancellations due to the seismic activity, raising concerns about the potential loss of the upcoming holiday season.