Seismic activity in Aegean Sea intensifies: Over 400 earthquakes recorded since Jan. 28

More than 400 earthquakes have been recorded in the Aegean Sea since Jan. 28, with the strongest tremor reaching a magnitude of 4.8, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported.

Scientists and researchers are closely monitoring the seismic activity in Aegean Sea, which is being classified as an earthquake swarm.

Increased seismic activity in Aegean Sea

AFAD stated that the earthquakes are concentrated approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Santorini Island, occurring at depths ranging from 5 to 25 kilometers. The closest recorded tremor to Türkiye‘s coastline was about 140 kilometers offshore.

“Similar seismic activity occurred in this region between 2011 and 2012, lasting for 14 months, but did not lead to volcanic activity,” AFAD noted in its statement. That period of heightened seismicity did not result in any volcanic eruptions, though concerns over potential geological consequences remain under review by experts.

“Scientists and researchers in Türkiye are assessing the seismic activity in Aegean sea from multiple perspectives, including earthquake dynamics, volcanic activity, and tsunami risks,” AFAD stated.

Tsunami risk and scientific assessments

Experts warn that, while the earthquakes have not yet resulted in significant damage, a larger tremor could increase the risk of a tsunami affecting Türkiye’s coastal regions.

Bulent Ozmen, a seismology expert, explained that if a stronger earthquake occurs, tsunami waves could impact coastal settlements in Mugla and surrounding areas.

“People should remain cautious near the shorelines, as seismic events in this region can generate tsunami waves,” Ozmen said. He added that a quake above magnitude 6.5 could pose a greater threat to Türkiye’s Aegean coast.

Geologist Professor Okan Tuysuz, speaking on Turkish media outlet NTV, confirmed that more than 250 earthquakes had occurred in the past two days alone, with 26 of them measuring above 3.5 in magnitude. He classified the ongoing activity as a “seismic storm,” similar to past occurrences in the region.

“These events can last for weeks, months, or even years,” Tuysuz explained. “They typically produce earthquakes up to magnitude 6, but they do not generally generate 7.0 or higher magnitude quakes.”

Warnings from seismologists

Renowned earthquake expert Professor Naci Gorur expressed concern over the frequency of earthquakes in the region, advising caution for residents in Türkiye’s coastal areas.

“I had previously pointed out the increasing number of earthquakes northeast of Santorini. The frequency continues to rise, and I recommend vigilance for those near our Aegean coastline,” Gorur wrote on social media.

Authorities urge caution against disinformation

AFAD emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for updates, urging the public to disregard misinformation that may spread on social media. “We kindly ask citizens to follow official sources for accurate information and not to be misled by disinformation,” the agency stated.

The agency confirmed that monitoring efforts remain ongoing, with collaboration between local and international seismic experts to evaluate potential risks.