Santorini Earthquake Swarm

[Sirius]

Looks like an eruption is immanent, evacuations has started.

[Sirius]

Something is happening, nothing good by the sounds of it.

[UltraBudgie]

oh sweet. volcanos are cool. dont forget the ring.

hope everyone stays safe.

watch out, helicoptor folk!



cnn says santorini is also known as 'instagram island'.

[Sirius]

Live earthquakes

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

Looks like an eruption is immanent, evacuations has started.
[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDWFZKQdy_M]
[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr7XZoe_Gn0]

OH NO, Atlantis might sink again..

Inappropriate joke aside, that island's volcano Thera is capable of VEI7 eruptions. At least big enough to be noteworthy even in Minoan times.

And not that much easier to escape.

Lots of ferries to other Agean Islands and Greece being boarded right now.

[putnam6]

Let's hope these clusters are just releasing pressure 

 
If the Minoan eruption of Thera (modern-day Santorini) were to occur today, the impacts would be profound and multifaceted, affecting not only the immediate region but also having global consequences. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Immediate Physical Effects:

1. Volcanic Eruption:
   • Type and Scale: The Minoan eruption was a Plinian eruption, one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history, with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or 7. This would involve massive explosive activity, ejecting ash, pumice, and volcanic gases high into the atmosphere.
     
   • Pyroclastic Flows: These fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter could travel at speeds over 100 mph, devastating anything in their path, including buildings, infrastructure, and human life on Santorini and nearby islands.
     
   • Tsunamis: The collapse of the caldera into the sea would likely generate massive tsunamis, similar to or exceeding those in historical records. Tsunami waves could reach heights of tens of meters, affecting coastal regions around the Aegean Sea, including Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Mediterranean coast.
     
2. Ash Fall:
   • Ash would blanket a wide area, potentially covering parts of Greece, Turkey, and possibly extending into Eastern Europe or the Middle East depending on wind patterns. This could lead to:
     • Respiratory Issues: Inhalation of ash can cause respiratory problems, particularly in susceptible populations.
       
     • Agricultural Damage: Ash fall could ruin crops, both immediately by burial and long-term through soil contamination and pH changes.
       
     • Infrastructure: Airports, roads, and electrical systems might be disrupted, leading to travel chaos and communication breakdowns.
       

Environmental and Climatic Impact:

• Global Cooling: The injection of sulfur dioxide and aerosols into the stratosphere could lead to a short-term cooling effect, known as a "volcanic winter." This might reduce global temperatures by a few degrees for several years, affecting weather patterns, agriculture, and marine ecosystems globally.
  
• Ozone Depletion: Sulfur compounds could lead to temporary ozone layer depletion, increasing UV radiation at the Earth's surface.
  

Socio-Economic Impact:

1. Humanitarian Crisis:
   • Displacement: Immediate evacuation would be necessary, leading to potentially millions displaced if major cities are affected by tsunamis or ash.
     
   • Health Services: Overwhelmed by injuries, respiratory issues, and possibly long-term health effects from ash inhalation.
     
2. Economic Disruption:
   • Tourism: The Greek islands, especially Santorini, are significant tourist destinations. The destruction and subsequent recovery could devastate local economies reliant on tourism.
     
   • Trade and Transport: Shipping lanes in the Mediterranean could be closed, affecting global trade routes. Air traffic might be grounded due to ash clouds.
     
3. Cultural and Historical Loss:
   • Cultural heritage sites, including those from the Minoan civilization, could suffer irreparable damage, impacting global historical understanding and tourism.
     

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

I just looked into it. Not Santorini but the underwater caldera to the northeast. Magma redistribution can trigger seismic events without an eruption. I'm unsure if the vents are even more active.

It's an earthquake swarm within the Santorini-Amorgos Shear Zone. 4.9 is a bit high-end for a swarm.

The area is being stretched and fluid is being moved by the overall motion of the African plate moving under the Eurasian one, which then broke off into microplates, that get deformed immensely. An arc that initially formed similar to The Cascades. I suck at explaining images in my head.

The South Aegean Volcanic Arc is a volcanic arc (chain of volcanoes) in the South Aegean Sea formed by plate tectonics. The prior cause was the subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate, raising the Aegean arc across what is now the North Aegean Sea. It was not yet the sea, nor an arc, or at least not the one it is today, nor was there a chain of volcanoes. In the Holocene, the process of back-arc extension began, probably stimulated by pressure from the Arabian plate compressing the region behind the arc. The extension deformed the region into its current configuration. First, the arc moved to the south and assumed its arcuate configuration. Second, the Aegean Sea opened behind the arc because the crust was thinned and weakened there. Third, magma broke through the thinned crust to form a second arc composed of a volcanic chain. And finally, the Aegean Sea plate broke away from Eurasia in the new fault zone to the north.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar...0121000182

Chance of associated volcanism relatively low. Even the chances of a more damaging earthquake (6.0+) are relatively low. It should calm down within a week.

I was thrown by the videos of people freaking out and evacuating and saying "eruption imminent."

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth...er-volcano

[Sirius]

I just looked into it. Not Santorini but the underwater caldera to the northeast. Magma redistribution can trigger seismic events without an eruption. I'm unsure if the vents are even more active.

It's an earthquake swarm within the Santorini-Amorgos Shear Zone. 4.9 is a bit high-end for a swarm.

The area is being stretched and fluid is being moved by the overall motion of the African plate moving under the Eurasian one, which then broke off into microplates, that get deformed immensely. An arc that initially formed similar to The Cascades. I suck at explaining images in my head.


[Image: https://denyignorance.com/uploader/image...Google.jpg]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar...0121000182

Chance of associated volcanism relatively low. Even the chances of a more damaging earthquake (6.0+) are relatively low. It should calm down within a week.

I was thrown by the videos of people freaking out and evacuating and saying "eruption imminent."

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth...er-volcano

It's right over the center of a underwater volcano.  Authorities will never give advanced warning, they follow a playbook. Until something official comes out I'm keeping the thread title as earthquake swarm.

Activity continues.

[Sirius]

Slowing down. Looking less grim now.

[Sirius]

Very good breakdown, I'm liking Stefan more and more.  He argues both side, earthquake swarm and volcano,