Santorini Lifts Most Volcano Restrictions as Seismic Activity Returns to Normal Levels

Greek authorities have lifted most emergency restrictions across the Santorini volcanic complex after scientists confirmed that seismic activity and ground deformation have returned to stable levels, ending more than a year of heightened alert that disrupted tourism and daily life on one of the world's most visited islands.

A new Joint Ministerial Decision, effective through March 2027 and signed by eight ministries

"The situation has calmed down," said Athanasios Ganas, research director at the Geodynamic Institute and president of the Geological Society of Greece.

Mr. Ganas said that while the severity of the 2025 crisis justified broad closures, current monitoring data supports the reopening of previously restricted volcanic sites.

Targeted restrictions remain in place at key transport and infrastructure points. At the Port of Athinios, strict traffic controls and a total parking ban are enforced to keep evacuation routes clear amid ongoing landslide risks and infrastructure works.

At the Old Port of Fira, public access is permitted with the exception of a demarcated danger zone near the cliffs.

The hiking trail from Ammoudi to Cape Agios Nikolaos remains closed, though pedestrian paths in Oia and Therasia have largely reopened.

Mr. Ganas was careful to frame the reopening in conditional terms.

"Universal restrictions are no longer justified," he said, but emphasized that localized measures remain where geological instability persists and that all protocols can be reinstated immediately if monitoring equipment detects renewed volcanic or seismic activity.

Santorini drew more than three million visitors in 2024, making the restoration of normal access to its volcanic sites a significant economic as well as safety milestone.

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Greek authorities have lifted most emergency restrictions across the Santorini volcanic complex after scientists confirmed that seismic activity and ground deformation have returned to stable levels, ending more than a year of heightened alert that disrupted tourism and daily life on one of the world's most visited islands.

A new Joint Ministerial Decision, effective through March 2027 and signed by eight ministries including Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, establishes a relaxed safety framework following unanimous recommendations from both the Seismic Risk Assessment Committee and the Hellenic Volcanic Arc Monitoring Committee.

"The situation has calmed down," said Athanasios Ganas, research director at the Geodynamic Institute and president of the Geological Society of Greece.

Mr. Ganas said that while the severity of the 2025 crisis justified broad closures, current monitoring data supports the reopening of previously restricted volcanic sites.

Targeted restrictions remain in place at key transport and infrastructure points. At the Port of Athinios, strict traffic controls and a total parking ban are enforced to keep evacuation routes clear amid ongoing landslide risks and infrastructure works.

At the Old Port of Fira, public access is permitted with the exception of a demarcated danger zone near the cliffs.

The hiking trail from Ammoudi to Cape Agios Nikolaos remains closed, though pedestrian paths in Oia and Therasia have largely reopened.

Mr. Ganas was careful to frame the reopening in conditional terms.

"Universal restrictions are no longer justified," he said, but emphasized that localized measures remain where geological instability persists and that all protocols can be reinstated immediately if monitoring equipment detects renewed volcanic or seismic activity.

Santorini drew more than three million visitors in 2024, making the restoration of normal access to its volcanic sites a significant economic as well as safety milestone.

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr