The landslide that occurred in Thirasia, Santorini, on Saturday 27/4 in the afternoon, next to the port of Corfu, is causing concern. Nikos Zorzos, the mayor of Thira, spoke to ERTNews about the high landslide risk facing the island and what needs to be done so that people are not at risk in the future from a similar incident.
“At the beginning of March, I made a document to the EAGME and the memorandum between the Hellenic Geological and Mineral Research Authority and the Ministry of Civil Protection was activated and specialist scientists came down […] 3-4 days ago we had a report in our hands and it also concerned the area of Corfu” said the mayor of Thira on the show “Newsroom”.
According to Mr. Zorzos, in 2012-’13, works were carried out to stop the destructive phenomenon in the areas where there is an anthropogenic environment, while a month and a half ago maintenance of the nets was also carried out.
“In Corfu, where we also have a more difficult slope, this landslide happened. I received a phone call from Mr. Kikilia, who he sent here Mr. Lekka who is currently in Thirasiasaid the mayor of Thira. Regarding whether the human factor influenced the landslide, Mr. Zorzos answered in the negative, while he stated that he was waiting for the information from Mr. Lekka to find out what interventions should be made.
“Santorini is the Grand Canyon of the Mediterranean”
Speaking about the geological phenomenon recorded by the cameras and a cloud of dust that terrified the visitors of the island, the professor of Geology, Evi Nomikou, stated on the show “Connections” that the entire residential complex of Santorini, with the huge caldera, has very steep slopes ( slopes) and consists of various layers (lava, volcanic material, pumice, pyroclastic flows) that make up these rocks, which are more vulnerable to being eroded and causing landslides.
“For us scientists, it is not unusual to have micro-landslides in the Caldera of Santorini and that is why we always emphasize it at the various conferences that one of the dangers of the Caldera, in addition to the volcanic risk, is also the landslide” pointed out Ms. Legal.
As he said, “life in Thirasia continues” while regarding what needs to be done, he emphasized that following the suggestions of the experts, the necessary measures will be taken for the most dangerous points in order to deal with the phenomenon. “There are specific points of the Caldera that should first be mapped with special machines of all the morphology, so that they can really identify which ones are dangerous,” he added.
What is the connection between the landslide and the seismic sequence in Crete
According to the Geology professor, “Santorini is the Grand Canyon of the Mediterranean. All these strange colors, which depict different volcanic eruptions, are clearly prone to become some defining hazard.” In addition, as he pointed out, it is normal when there are such steep slopes, both on the land and in the sea.
Regarding what may have caused the landslide, he emphasized that it is connected to the seismic tremor south of Santorini, in the southern fault of the Cretan sea. “Not long ago there was a 4.3 Richter earthquake that was felt by the residents of Santorini. Yes, such vibrations can cause small landslides”, noted Mrs. Nomikou.
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