Mystery of Santorini's Earthquake Swarm Unveiled by Scientists

Fri Nov 21 2025 13:29:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent research reveals that a swarm of over 25,000 earthquakes near Santorini, Greece, was triggered by magma movement beneath the Earth's crust, as scientists utilize AI to analyze seismic patterns.

In early 2025, Santorini experienced an unprecedented 'earthquake swarm' with more than 25,000 tremors, triggered by magma intruding through a subterranean channel. Utilizing artificial intelligence and physics, scientists mapped the seismic activity and determined the magma's horizontal movement created the tremors. Current assessments suggest the unrest has subsided, but researchers emphasize the importance of understanding these patterns for future volcanic activity predictions.

Mystery of Santorini's Earthquake Swarm Unveiled by Scientists

Recent research reveals that a swarm of over 25,000 earthquakes near Santorini, Greece, was triggered by magma movement beneath the Earth's crust, as scientists utilize AI to analyze seismic patterns.

The Cause Behind the Swarm

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 20km (12 miles) horizontally through the Earth's crust.

One of the lead researchers, Dr. Stephen Hicks from UCL, noted that this novel approach of combining physics and machine learning could enhance efforts to forecast volcanic eruptions.

Seismic Activity Overview

The seismic activity began in January 2025, affecting Santorini and nearby islands. Many tremors surpassed magnitude 5.0, prompting evacuations and fears of a potential volcanic eruption from the underwater Kolumbo volcano.

Researchers crafted a 3D map to analyze seismic trends, which revealed the event was fueled by the horizontal movement of magma through a channel 30 km long beneath the sea.

According to estimates, approximately enough magma circulated to fill 200,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, resulting in a substantial series of tremors.

Looking Forward: Future Implications

Currently, the researchers believe the unrest appears to have subsided, with magma resting over 8 km deep in the crust. However, the unpredictability of volcanoes remains, and long periods of unrest can occur, as demonstrated in other regions.

These studies not only deepen our understanding of seismic patterns but also highlight the potential for AI tools to aid in forecasting, keeping communities safe in seismically active areas.