A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck near the Cycladic island of Amorgos on Monday afternoon, the Geodynamic Institute reported. The quake, with a focal depth of 15.8 kilometers, was centered 19 kilometers south of Arkesini, Amorgos, and was also felt in Athens.
Earlier, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck just after 1 p.m., with its epicenter located 11 kilometers south of Arkesini at a depth of 17.7 kilometers.
Santorini and nearby islands have experienced more than 800 tremors of magnitude 3 or more since February 1. The ongoing seismic activity has prompted a significant exodus of residents and tourists from Santorini, where many of its 16,000 inhabitants have fled.
Greek authorities announced Saturday that schools on Santorini, Anafi, Ios and Amorgos will remain closed until at least February 14 due to the heightened seismic activity.
In response, the oceanographic research vessel Aegean, operated by the state-run Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), announced it will study underwater faults and landslide risks in the area as part of the “Athena vs Enceladus” program, aiming to better understand the region’s seismic potential.