Santorini, under the pressure of magma: science explains the earthquakes that shook the island

For almost two months, between January 27 and early March 2025, thousands of earthquakes shook the area of the island of Santorini and its neighbors Amorgos, Ios and Anafi, in the Aegean Sea. The strongest had magnitudes between 5 and 5.3 on the Richter scale. Although no casualties or major material damage were reported, the Greek authorities declared a state of emergency for a month, a sign of deep concern.

• The hidden connection between two volcanoes

A study published in the journal Nature shows that the origin of the earthquakes is not purely tectonic, but volcanic. Santorini is located at the intersection of the African and Anatolian plates, in an area with an explosive history. The volcanoes Nea Kameni and Kolumbo, located just 7 kilometers from each other, are connected by a common magmatic system. Researchers have identified a magma transfer from 7.6 km deep beneath Kolumbo to Nea Kameni, triggering the seismic movement. About 300 million cubic meters of magma entered the form of a dam in a 13 km long fracture, stopping just a few kilometers below the seabed.

• Santorini, the island that rises and sinks

The magmatic movements have produced visible effects: the caldera (volcanic crater) of Santorini rose by a few centimeters in 2024, then returned, sinking again after the magma transfer in January 2025. The phenomenon confirms a hydraulic connection between the two volcanoes - a detail previously unknown and which raises new questions about the risk of future eruptions.

• A history marked by catastrophes

Santorini is synonymous with one of the most violent eruptions in human history, the one around 1600 BC, which destroyed the Minoan civilization and left its mark in myths and chronicles. The memory of this event makes any sign of volcanic activity be viewed with the utmost attention.

• Implications for Greece and the Mediterranean

Even if the 2025 earthquakes did not cause damage, the volcanic risk remains strategic. Santorini and the Cyclades archipelago attract millions of tourists annually, and a possible eruption would have significant economic and geopolitical consequences for Greece and the region.

Furthermore, the study shows that interconnected volcanic systems can generate "cascading” crises, complicating predictions and prevention strategies.

The new discovery reinforces the idea that geological monitoring is not just an academic matter, but a vital tool for national and regional security. Santorini remains under surveillance, and the scientific community warns: volcanoes are not sleeping, but are only preparing for their future manifestations.