What a major new update on Santorini’s earthquakes means for the tourist season - Scientists have noticed a clear pattern in the shakes rocking the Greek island

Back then, flights and ferries were cancelled and tourists had to stay away from Santorini, the jewel in Greece’s tourism crown. But at least the islanders remained. Now, after three weeks of the outcrop in the Aegean being rattled by more than 20,000 earthquakes, even islanders have packed up and left.

Israeli geo-archeologist had studied ancient seismic activity of Santorini for decades, then happened to be on the island as the ground began shaking.

The Greek island of Santorini was struck by the latest in a string of earthquakes Tuesday, this time a 4.8 temblor. The government said it will backstop the island destination's tourist industry.

The swarm near Santorini appears to be related to the activation of a system of normal faults, fractures in the Earth’s crust where there is movement. Earthquakes are the result of a sudden release of tension built up by the movement along these faults.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Sun rays illuminate the volcanic islet of Nea Kameni, part of the earthquake-struck island of Santorini ...

More than half of Santorini's population have fled the holiday hotspot after the island was hit by hundreds of earthquake tremors in recent days. Earlier this month, Santorini and neighbouring ...