Santorini's mayor reassured the public about the island's volcano after recent mild seismic and volcanic activity prompted a meeting at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
In an interview with Volcano TV, the mayor explained that the volcano is under close observation and exhibits periodic fluctuations, as it has in the past.
He cited the 2011-2012 period when volcanic activity lasted 14 months without an eruption.1 He stressed that the recorded earthquakes are low intensity and of volcanic origin, which is not a major cause for concern.
“We have been monitoring the situation for months, and there was no need for an early announcement, as such changes may be temporary,” he said, adding that experts constantly evaluate the situation.
Regarding the meeting, the mayor clarified it was precautionary and not a sign of an emergency.
A regular update is scheduled for the end of February, as it is every year.
The mayor also reported progress on establishing a seismological and volcanic observatory in Oia. The Ministry of Civil Protection has given its approval, and the Ministry of Interior is in the final stages of its review.