Nomikou to Protothema: Which Greek regions must be “Tsunami Ready” – The Red Zones & active seismic areas

Evi Nomikou, Professor of Geological Oceanography astatine the University of Athens, spoke to Direct and Giorgos Evgenidis astir the astir “red” seismic zones shown connected the representation of Greece, arsenic good arsenic the areas that request to beryllium “tsunami ready.”

The prof referred to the Santorini earthquakes, describing February arsenic a “difficult month” portion scientists tried to explicate this uncommon geological phenomenon. “Kolumbo is simply a precise progressive country due to the fact that determination are progressive faults nearby. When you person galore tremors, you commencement to interest arsenic a geologist.”

She noted that the scientific team has studied the country for much than 20 years and “has afloat analyzed what is happening.” Explaining the findings, she said: “The magma enclosure has been affected, which activated the faults. It’s a operation of magma and tectonics. In Greece, we person progressive volcanoes, and the astir progressive is Santorini, which erupts each 70 years. But we are not talking astir a destructive eruption.”

She clarified that the treatment concerns lone Kolumbo and not Nea Kameni, emphasizing that “there has ne'er been immoderate notation of a imaginable eruption there.” She besides stressed the request for amended backing of marine research: “In December, we volition retrieve the instrumentality to process the information and past redeploy it. The underwater seismographs are the lone witnesses that perceive the pulses of the volcano.”

The prof explained that the seismic tremors were caused by rising magma and stone fracturing: “This fracturing is the earthquake. The magma stopped rising astatine the extremity of March, and that’s erstwhile the earthquakes stopped.”

She pointed retired that the representation of Greece shows the reddish areas—the astir progressive seismic zones. “If we besides see the volcanoes, for illustration successful Santorini, the zones are adjacent much active. Conversely, if we determination further northbound to the Cyclades, they are aseismic; we bash not expect earthquakes there.”

Referring to tsunami examples, she said the improvement is besides a interest for Greece and mentioned the areas wherever residents indispensable cognize that successful the lawsuit of a large earthquake, they should determination distant from the coast: “Areas similar Samos, Rhodes, and Kalamata indispensable beryllium ‘tsunami ready.’”

She besides mentioned the precocious outgo of planetary research: “The German vessel outgo €100,000 per day, paid by Germany. Greece is simply a paradise to survey these phenomena; it’s the supermarket of earthy disasters. But it besides requires concern from the Greek state.”

Finally, she referred to the Geopark of Nisyros: “Nisyros is simply a volcanology museum. For the archetypal time, marine areas are included. Geopark means that residents support the environment, and the land becomes a hub for higher-quality tourism. Large infrastructure is not needed—just protection.”