AFAD recently convened a high-level emergency meeting to assess the risks posed by the ongoing earthquake swarm near Santorini Island and its potential impact on Türkiye’s coastline. The meeting brought together officials from AFAD, the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate (MTA), the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, and other leading scientists and researchers.

Türkiye’s Emergency Measures

Discussions focused on the threats of a major earthquake, tsunami, or volcanic eruption, with authorities outlining a series of precautionary steps:

Continuous Monitoring Council: A specialised council comprising government officials and scientists has been established to monitor seismic activity from multiple perspectives.

Emergency Warning Systems:

Mobile siren systems have been deployed to İzmir, Aydın, and Muğla to provide immediate alerts in case of a tsunami or other emergency.

The existing SMS alert system has been activated to send emergency warnings via Türkiye’s news receiving and distribution network.

Personnel and Equipment Deployment: AFAD directorates in Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Sivas, and Samsun have dispatched reinforcement teams and equipment to at-risk provinces.

Tsunami Early Warning Integration: The Kandilli Observatory’s Tsunami Warning System has been integrated with AFAD’s disaster management platform, AYDES, ensuring real-time tsunami alerts for authorities and residents.

Volcanic Activity Monitoring: The Turkish Meteorological Service has begun issuing daily reports to track the movement of volcanic gas and ash in the atmosphere in the event of an eruption.

Seismic Activity Triggers Mass Evacuations in Greece

Since February 1, 2025, over 800 tremors exceeding magnitude 3 have been recorded near the Greek islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios. The strongest quake to date, measuring magnitude 5.2, has contributed to growing fears in the region.

As a result, most of Santorini’s 16,000 residents—along with visiting tourists—have fled the island. Although seismic activity appeared to decrease, 11 tremors above magnitude 4 struck on February 8, prompting Turkish authorities to accelerate their emergency response.

Experts Dismiss Links Between Sea Recession and Earthquake Threat

Meanwhile, the sudden recession of the sea along Türkiye’s Marmara and Aegean coasts has sparked public concern over a potential earthquake. In Silivri, Istanbul, the sea withdrew by 150 metres, forming temporary islets, while in Seferihisar, İzmir, the retreat reached 100 metres, leaving boats stranded.

However, earthquake expert Professor Süleyman Pampal reassured the public, stating that such occurrences are due to atmospheric and meteorological phenomena rather than an impending earthquake. He emphasised that the fault lines in the Marmara region are unlikely to generate significant tsunamis and that sea recessions are typically caused by tides, wind, and atmospheric pressure changes.

Pampal urged against exaggerating the situation, noting that these are natural and recurring atmospheric phenomena with no connection to seismic activity.

Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation, urging coastal residents to stay informed through official channels.

Source: Hürriyet Daily News

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1. Seismic Activity in Western Türkiye

Türkiye sits on active fault lines, including the North Anatolian Fault and the Hellenic Arc, which runs through the Aegean Sea. Earthquakes in Greece can be felt in Izmir, Aydın, Muğla, and Çanakkale, sometimes triggering aftershocks in Türkiye’s fault systems.

2. Risk of Structural Damage

While no major damage has been reported from the Santorini quakes, past events like the 2020 Izmir earthquake (7.0 magnitude) resulted in collapsed buildings and casualties. Authorities remain on high alert.

3. Tsunami Threat

Large earthquakes in the Aegean Sea can generate tsunamis. The 2020 Izmir-Samos earthquake caused a small tsunami in Seferihisar, Türkiye. While the Santorini quakes have not triggered a tsunami, officials continue to monitor the situation.

4. Impact on Tourism

Fears of continued seismic activity may discourage tourists from visiting popular Turkish destinations like Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris, and Çeşme. Local businesses are monitoring the impact.

5. Economic and Trade Disruptions

Seismic events affecting the Aegean Sea can disrupt ferry services and trade between Türkiye and Greece. Damage to ports or transportation infrastructure could slow commerce and tourism.

6. Why is the Sea Receding Along Türkiye’s Aegean Coast?

The recent sea recession observed in Türkiye’s Aegean coastal areas has caused concern, but experts provide the following explanations:

Possible Causes:

• Seafloor Movements: Tectonic shifts can temporarily displace water, causing a retreat or influx.

• Tsunami Indicator? Rapid and large-scale recession can signal an impending tsunami, but the recent changes are not linked to a tsunami threat.

• Tectonic Stress Release: The shifting fault lines under the Aegean Sea may be redistributing pressure.

• Seasonal and Atmospheric Effects: Wind patterns, atmospheric pressure changes, and tides can also contribute to temporary sea level fluctuations.

7. Should People Be Concerned?

• Authorities (AFAD in Türkiye and Greek seismologists) are closely monitoring the situation.

• No tsunami warnings have been issued.

• If a sudden and significant sea retreat occurs, residents should move inland as a precaution.

8. Official Warnings and Safety Advice for Tourists

• Avoid old or abandoned buildings that may not withstand tremors.

• Stay away from clifftop areas and vulnerable ports (such as Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and Fira’s Old Port).

• Follow official updates from AFAD and local governments.

• Be cautious in earthquake-prone regions and know emergency evacuation routes.

Conclusion

While the Santorini earthquake swarm has not significantly impacted Türkiye, authorities are maintaining seismic monitoring and tsunami preparedness. The sea recession appears to be seasonal, but officials continue to analyse any links to tectonic activity.

For the latest updates, travelers and residents should rely on official sources like AFAD and the UK Foreign Office.

Authorities urge caution against disinformation

AFAD emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for updates, urging the public to disregard misinformation that may spread on social media. “We kindly ask citizens to follow official sources for accurate information and not to be misled by disinformation,” the agency stated.

The agency confirmed that monitoring efforts remain ongoing, with collaboration between local and international seismic experts to evaluate potential risks.

This article was curated from various news, scientific and disaster management sources.

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