Tsunami alert in Aegean Sea: ‘We will have half an hour after earthquake’

Seismic activity continues in the Aegean Sea especially surrounding the Greek island of Santorini, and experts are warning that a tsunami could reach the Turkish coastline within 30 minutes following an earthquake.

Recent earthquakes have been centered north of Santorini Island, where seismic events have been frequent. Professor Hasan Sozbilir, director of the Earthquake Research and Application Center at Dokuz Eylul University (DEU) in Izmir, explained that this region is known for its volcanic activity.

He highlighted that in the past, several eruptions have occurred, often followed by earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic explosions.

Sozbilir further noted that a massive eruption, like the one that occurred around 1600 B.C.E., caused an earthquake with a magnitude of 6. Should the volcano erupt again, he warned that it would release large amounts of ash and gas into the atmosphere. This could lead to air pollution, damage to agricultural lands, and other significant environmental concerns.

In the event of a tsunami, Sozbilir stated that it would likely reach the coast within about 30 minutes after the earthquake. He emphasized that while the earthquake and tsunami do not occur simultaneously, the tsunami has a specific travel time. “We will have at least 30 minutes to respond,” he said.

Sozbilir also stressed the importance of being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of a tsunami. He advised moving inland and to higher ground to avoid danger, ensuring that proper action could help minimize the risks.