By Sama Marwan,
Natural disasters have become more frequent and severe in recent decades. This alarming trend, raising concerns among scientists and international organizations, is attributed to a combination of natural and human factors, including climate change and increased seismic activity. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and heatwaves are increasingly affecting millions of people worldwide.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) issued a tsunami warning for the Greek coast following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini today, Thursday. The alert also extends to the coasts of Turkey and Italy.
The Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was 82 kilometers northeast of Heraklion, the capital of Crete, at a depth of 64 kilometers. Authorities have not yet reported any casualties or potential damage, according to the Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos.
Last February, the region experienced a series of hundreds of earthquakes, causing local residents and tourists, especially from Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular destinations, to evacuate.
Seismic activity appears to be linked to the movement of tectonic plates along the underwater Nisyros fault, located between Santorini and Amorgos, rather than the region’s volcanoes. However, experts warn that this does not mean seismic tremors cannot lead to a resurgence of volcanic activity.
New Earthquake East of Crete with No Damage, Warnings of Increased Tsunami Risk Due to Climate Change
On May 14, another earthquake of magnitude 6.0 was recorded east of Crete. Although the earthquake was felt by residents of nearby islands, as well as in Athens and Turkey, it did not cause any damage.
Global warming plays a significant role in this scenario. In addition to causing glaciers to melt and a consequent rise in sea levels, climate change can also intensify the scale of the impacts that a tsunami could have on coastal areas.
