I’m confused by the reaction, is it just fear driven by the lack of seismicity in the region? Or do people assume it’s an omen for a worse impending quake? Magnitude 5.2 isn’t super likely to...
I’m confused by the reaction, is it just fear driven by the lack of seismicity in the region? Or do people assume it’s an omen for a worse impending quake? Magnitude 5.2 isn’t super likely to cause damage except in edge cases such as poor construction, existing damage, and strange soil dynamics.
Edit: missed the part about there being tons of small quakes. I guess that is unnerving?
It did mention concerns of a tsunami if there is a stronger earthquake, although I don't know if a tsunami poses a risk to Santorini itself or other parts of Greece. It also touched on rockslides...
It did mention concerns of a tsunami if there is a stronger earthquake, although I don't know if a tsunami poses a risk to Santorini itself or other parts of Greece.
It also touched on rockslides and seeing as the houses are on fairly sheer slopes I suppose that could be risky.
Greek civil protection authorities have declared a state of emergency on Santorini as natural disaster experts voice mounting fears over the “intense” seismic activity that has rattled the island.
The emergency measures were declared by the island’s town hall hours after seismologists recorded a 5.2-magnitude earthquake – the most powerful tremor to be felt on Santorini since the first of an estimated 7,700 temblors were registered last week.
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With experts speaking of a geological phenomenon that could last weeks, fatigued local people continued to leave the island, likening the exodus to “an unofficial mass evacuation”.
More than 12,000 people have fled by boat and plane since the tremors intensified at the weekend, with few tourists now believed to be on the island.
I’m confused by the reaction, is it just fear driven by the lack of seismicity in the region? Or do people assume it’s an omen for a worse impending quake? Magnitude 5.2 isn’t super likely to cause damage except in edge cases such as poor construction, existing damage, and strange soil dynamics.
Edit: missed the part about there being tons of small quakes. I guess that is unnerving?
Santorini is built on top of a caldera, so they are fleeing due to the worry of a volcanic eruption.
Ah, that’s the piece I was missing. Makes sense. I’m surprised the article doesn’t mention that?
It did mention concerns of a tsunami if there is a stronger earthquake, although I don't know if a tsunami poses a risk to Santorini itself or other parts of Greece.
It also touched on rockslides and seeing as the houses are on fairly sheer slopes I suppose that could be risky.
From the article:
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