The well-known seismologist Akis Tselentis on the current situation on Santorini and the dispute with the president of the island’s tourism association, Vasilis Kasimatis.
Latest statement by seismologist Tselentis on the situation on Santorini
Akis Tselentis has expressed strong views regarding the temporary closure of schools as a precautionary measure for students. He argues that simply shutting down schools for a few days is not a viable solution.
If a pre-seismic period lasts for months, as seen in previous events like the one in Arkalochori, it raises a dilemma. Should children remain out of school indefinitely, or is there a risk in allowing them to attend? Tselentis likens this situation to treating a severely ill patient with painkillers instead of addressing the root cause of the illness with appropriate treatments.
In his recent comments, Tselentis highlighted the lack of substantial actions taken over the past two months. He believes this time could have been utilised to reinforce school buildings structurally, rather than just conducting surface-level inspections around them.
Reports have indicated that many school structures were built using sea sand, which compromises the integrity of the reinforcement bars. Tselentis points out that an external visual inspection is insufficient to detect such crucial issues.
He emphasized the availability of modern techniques, such as ground-penetrating radar, which can effectively identify degradation in the reinforcing materials.
The initial step should focus on locating the most vulnerable schools. To avoid delays, it is essential to proceed with preliminary reinforcement measures, such as installing iron supports and using fibre glass composites.
The field of modern seismology has advanced significantly. During his tenure as the General Director for ten years at the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, Tselentis developed simulation techniques to assess the behaviour of buildings under expected seismic activity.
This approach involves creating a seismic scenario for each structure. For their specific cases, they know the probable seismic events would originate from three main areas: Kolumbo, Kameni, or a significantly stronger quake from the Amorgos fault.
Video from the earthquake simulator at the Natural History Museum in Heraklion:
Expected seismic accelerations at a given location, which define the intensity of the seismic event, rely on known rupture mechanics for these regions, the medium through which seismic waves propagate, and the local ground conditions at the school sites—this last factor being the most critical. These variables could be rapidly assessed using geophysical methods.
In the next phase, it would be crucial to construct detailed computer models of the school’s architectural features. They would then subject these models to various seismic scenarios to analyse their detailed responses.
This comprehensive approach will illuminate the building’s overall resilience to various potential earthquakes. By employing this cutting-edge methodology, Tselentis hopes to ensure that schools are adequately prepared for any seismic risks.
A recent disagreement has emerged between the esteemed seismologist Akis Tsoukalas and Vasilis Kasimatis, the president of Tourism Enterprises in Santorini. This clash arose in response to ongoing seismic activity affecting the island. Tsoukalas has taken to social media to share his scientific insights regarding the geological phenomenon, highlighting concerns about the building practices on the island, which he believes could further complicate the situation.
Despite the absence of any official rebuttal from other scientists or governmental bodies, Kasimatis has accused Tsoukalas of spreading misinformation. He even suggested potential legal action during an interview, arguing that a respected scientist should not publicly discuss such critical issues if they stir discontent. This debate reflects the tensions surrounding seismic occurrences and the implications for both safety and tourism on the island.
What the Seismologist Akis Tselentis Said
Akis Tselentis clarified his position regarding the seismic activity near Santorini during his latest public statements. He emphasised that his initial comments about the possibility of an earthquake were founded purely on his scientific knowledge and extensive experience.
He noted that initially, some colleagues were predicting quakes of around 5 on the Richter scale but eventually aligned with his viewpoint. He mentioned that this information is well-documented and accessible to the public.
Tselentis maintained his stance that locals should not evacuate the island. Instead, he pointed out that the real concern lies with unauthorised constructions that could pose risks.
Tselentis expressed anger at the misinterpretation of his statements. He articulated that he was specifically referring to unsafe buildings located in areas like Fridhi, not condemning the entire island.
Recently, a tragic incident involving a 19-year-old worker highlighted the dangers of such constructions, as he lost his life due to a ceiling collapse during building work in Imerovigli.
Regarding threats of legal action from Mr. Kasimatis, Tselentis stated his confusion over why the president of the island’s tourism businesses would target him instead of focusing on structural safety issues.
He reiterated his commitment to informing the public based on factual scientific data. Tselentis firmly stated that he is not intimidated by threats or lawsuits, asserting that they do not live in a repressive regime.
He further commented on the oppressive nature of using legal threats to cover up various misdemeanours, comparing it to resorting to fear tactics seen in other contexts.
He clarified that his focus on dangerous constructions in Santorini primarily concerns two specific buildings situated on the lightweight pumice stone of the caldera, which he had highlighted with photographs.
Though he suggested the potential presence of other unsafe structures, he primarily held the owners accountable for ensuring safety and compliance. Notably, he also indicated that the entire hotel industry on the island should consider these safety issues carefully.
What the president of Santorini’s tourism Enterprise said
Vasilis Kasimatis provided a strong response regarding the comments and posts made by Akis Tsilentis.
He expressed that a seismologist should not claim that there is 100% illegal construction on the island.
Kasimatis emphasised the importance of listening to scientists who have conducted research and are continuing to study the phenomena on Santorini, rather than accepting opinions from those lacking genuine understanding of the situation.
Kasimatis stated his intention to instruct the association’s lawyer to initiate legal action against the seismologist for spreading misinformation.
In a post aimed specifically at Tsilentis, Kasimatis conveyed his concerns.
He accused Tsilentis of creating undue fear regarding Santorini, referring to him as the only individual to do so over the past weeks.
Kasimatis mentioned that he had responded to a derogatory post about the island, leading to Tsilentis eventually retracting it.
During an interview on SKAI with Portosalte, Kasimatis warned that the Santorini Tourist Enterprises Association would pursue legal avenues if Tsilentis did not cease the dissemination of false information.
In his message, Kasimatis highlighted that the photo referenced by Tsilentis depicted a construction that had not yet been deemed illegal.
He asserted that the matter was already known to local authorities and that they did not require guidance from Tsilentis.
He stated that Tsilentis, as a seismologist, should refrain from making broad judgments or acting like a judge or prosecutor.
Kasimatis urged Tsilentis to relax his focus on Santorini, as the island was already facing numerous challenges.
He implied that Tsilentis might have a hidden agenda against Santorini, given the negative comments received about the island as a result of Tsilentis’s statements.
Kasimatis further challenged the idea that Santorini was unique in having urban planning violations, questioning the state of urban development in Tsilentis’s own island of Kefalonia.
He encouraged Tsilentis to address issues in his own community rather than targeting Santorini.
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Earthquakes Updates in the Aegean
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Advice for Tourists During an Earthquake in Santorini
Tourists are advised to stay calm and seek open spaces if outside, or take cover under sturdy furniture indoors during an earthquake.
Following instructions from local authorities and emergency services is crucial for safety.
Information from the Greek Civil Protection for earthquakes (in English)
