Alert Fatigue Amid Continuous Tremors in Santorini

Santorini residents are experiencing alert fatigue from persistent seismic activity and sensational media claims. While experts assure that severe earthquakes or eruptions are unlikely, anxiety prevails as over 10,000 individuals have left the island, leading to halted construction and economic concerns. Residents cope by engaging with local media and developing informal strategies to manage their fear of impending tremors.

Residents of Santorini are enduring alert fatigue due to continuous seismic activity and media alarmism regarding potential disasters. The island has been experiencing ongoing tremors, leading to heightened anxiety among the remaining inhabitants, who are weary of predictions surrounding a significant earthquake or volcanic eruption similar to the catastrophic event in 1600 BC that reshaped the region.

Despite the persistent fear, most seismologists assert that while strong earthquakes are possible, they are unlikely to reach the severity of the catastrophic 7.7 magnitude quake in 1956. Furthermore, the potential for volcanic activity is deemed improbable within the next few millennia, though this scientific reasoning is often overshadowed by sensationalist narratives, including some from within the scientific community.

Many residents have chosen to rely on local news sources, such as Volcano TV, over national broadcasts, valuing their more measured and credible approach. The Tsatsanidis family, for instance, prefers this local media for updates on the seismic situation, particularly for the safety of their children who continue their education online, with many classmates having relocated.

The island has seen an exodus of over 10,000 individuals, predominantly those who were not long-term residents. The departure of these individuals has hindered local economies, especially craftsmanship and service industries essential for tourism. Meanwhile, construction projects on the island have faced delays and concerns regarding building safety, raising apprehensions about the island’s readiness for the tourist season.

Seismologist Kostas Papazachos compares the residents’ fatigue from constant danger to experiences from the Covid-19 pandemic. Locals have begun to develop mechanisms to cope with their anxiety, often engaging in informal assessments of tremor intensity—an indication of their resilience amidst the ongoing challenges they face in this seismically active area.

In summary, Santorini residents are grappling with alert fatigue due to relentless seismic activity and media exaggeration about potential disasters. While expert opinions suggest little cause for alarm regarding significant earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, the continuous tremors have fostered a climate of anxiety and uncertainty, compounded by a mass exodus of inhabitants and halted construction projects. The community’s coping strategies denote their resilience amidst ongoing challenges.

Original Source: www.ekathimerini.com