Santorini’s Earthquake Swarm Is Declining Gradually as Thousands Return to the Greek Island 

A drone view of the village of Oia, as the seismic activity continues, on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 20, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view of the village of Oia, as the seismic activity continues, on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 20, 2025. (Reuters)
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Santorini’s Earthquake Swarm Is Declining Gradually as Thousands Return to the Greek Island 

A drone view of the village of Oia, as the seismic activity continues, on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 20, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view of the village of Oia, as the seismic activity continues, on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 20, 2025. (Reuters)

An earthquake swarm near the island of Santorini is gradually declining a month after it began, Greek scientists monitoring the phenomenon said Monday.

The undersea shocks — sometimes recorded only minutes apart — led thousands of residents and workers to flee the famed clifftop towns of Santorini as well as the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos and Anafi.

Schools remain closed on those islands for a fourth week and many other restrictions are still in effect. But scientists said they were encouraged by the decline of the earthquake swarm.

“Seismic activity continues to show a gradual decline, both in terms of the daily number of recorded earthquakes and maximum magnitudes,” the Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management at the University of Athens said.

“The activity remains concentrated in the same focal area ... with no new micro-seismic surges observed since Feb. 15,” it said.

The committee said it recorded more than 20,000 earthquakes of magnitude 1 or higher between Jan. 26 and Feb. 22.

The multiple earthquakes, attributed to natural tectonic processes as well as magma movements below the seabed, have measured up to magnitude 5.3 but have caused only minor damage.

Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos on Monday said several thousand people had returned to the island since late last week, and called on government authorities to provide additional assistance in dealing with risks — including controlling rockfalls and the installation and repair of hillslope fencing.



West Coast and Shopping Festival Attract Visitors during Jeddah Season

West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
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West Coast and Shopping Festival Attract Visitors during Jeddah Season

West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)

This summer, Jeddah Season 2025 is offering unique tourism activities that combine the sea atmosphere with the liveliness of shopping. This year's Jeddah Season features activities of the "West Coast", as well as the Jeddah Shopping Festival, which attracts a large number of visitors from within and outside the Kingdom.

Within the activities, Jeddah's beaches have transformed into vibrant destinations offering a range of water activities, beach sports, and live music performances, in addition to spaces dedicated to relaxation and recreation, thereby enhancing the city's appeal as a popular summer destination on the Red Sea coast, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

The significant expansion of new and private beaches is another highlight of the season. They were developed to provide visitors with an exceptional experience that combines luxury and privacy, catering to a variety of interests, from family entertainment to quiet recreation.

The Jeddah Shopping Festival enhances the season by offering a wide range of promotions and discounts across various stores and malls, providing a comprehensive shopping experience that spans from traditional markets to modern malls, in a scene that reflects the harmony of authenticity and modernity.