In brief
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified the underlying cause of the 2025 earthquake swarm around Santorini, Greece, noting that the seismic activity was initiated by the movement of magma through a subterranean channel. The findings, derived from advanced physics and artificial intelligence analyses, give insight into potential volcanic eruptions and the behavior of magma beneath the Earth's crust, potentially offering forecasting tools for future geological events.
The swarm of tens of thousands of earthquakes near the Greek island of Santorini earlier this year was triggered by molten rock pumping through an underground channel over three months, scientists have discovered.
They used physics and artificial intelligence to work out exactly what caused the more than 25,000 earthquakes, which travelled about 20 km (12 miles) horizontally through the Earth's crust.
The seismic activity started to stir beneath the Greek islands of Santorini, Amorgos, and Anafi in January 2025. The islands experienced tens of thousands of earthquakes - many of which were over magnitude 5.0 and could be felt. Many tourists fled, and locals feared that the nearby underwater volcano, Kolumbo, might be about to erupt - or that this was a seismic prelude to a larger earthquake, similar to the devastating, magnitude 7.7 quake that struck the same region in 1956.
The scientists, who published their findings in the journal Science, created a 3D map of the Earth around Santorini. They mapped the evolving patterns of seismic activity and the movement and stress in the crust. This led to a detailed model of the forces driving this months-long seismic swarm.
The researchers estimated that the volume of magma that moved through the crust could have filled 200,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. These magma intrusions smashed through layers of rock, triggering thousands of tremors. Lead researcher Dr. Stephen Hicks remarked on the significance of combining physics and machine learning for potential volcanic eruption forecasting.
Regarding the future of volcanic unrest, researchers noted that while current activity appears to be over, magma can ascend quickly and volcanoes can remain in unstable states for years. The findings could transform monitoring capabilities for volcanic and seismic activity, ultimately contributing to public safety.
