Santorini- Greece
Earthquakes: “The maximum we expect is 5.5 to a maximum of 6 Richter” – Professor Papanikolaou’s assessment
“Classic tectonic earthquakes of medium magnitude are being recorded – The relaxation curve is quite fast”, notes Emeritus Professor of Geology, Dimitris Papanikolaou
The way earthquakes are recorded and monitored in recent decades has changed, notes Emeritus Professor of Geology, Dimitris Papanikolaou, in MEGA and explains that now the scientific community can speak based on data.
This is why, for the recent seismic tremors, scientists can proceed to estimates of the size that an earthquake can reach, given all the recordings that have been collected and utilized in recent years.
“The key is that we have data on which we form our opinions. Until 15 years ago, the data was statistical in nature. We looked at what we knew about earthquakes and tried to draw conclusions. The biggest advantage now is that we have mapped the Columbo volcano.
“It is most likely that in the next few days we will see the peak of the phenomenon with the largest earthquake – the main one – or stabilization at a certain size and the release”
Then we know about the volcanic activity. We have 12 volcanic craters NE of Columbo. It is precisely in this area of the Columbo craters that all this activity takes place south to the island of Anhidros”.
“We have mapped all the faults. We did the drilling last year, we know the history of each fault, we know that Columbo has given six major eruptions like the one in 1650.
Up to a maximum of 6 Richter
This is the update of the data. No one can escape after these data and say whatever they want. We are concerned about the fault zone from Anhidros to the east of Santorini. The studies we are doing are consistent with the fact that the earthquake can reach 6 Richter”, added Mr. Papanikolaou.
“The maximum we expect is 5.5 to a maximum of 6 Richter. We have the fault zone but the entire fault will not break. We do not know how long it will last. We have just escaped and gone to more noticeable earthquakes, which are the classic tectonic earthquakes of medium magnitude, but from 4.1 we reached 4.9.
“This shows us that the relaxation curve is quite rapid and it is most likely that in the coming days we will see the peak of the phenomenon with the largest earthquake – the main one – or stabilization at a certain size and relaxation,” he concluded.
