The volcano of Santorini is "roaring" again and authorities are mobilizing, as all indications are that the danger is real. As a result, the last month, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection proceeded to draw up a plan, called 'Talos', for the immediate and coordinated response of the Stakeholders involved at the Central, Regional and Local level in the event of volcanic attack.

As for the risk analysis, as detailed in the draft General Secretariat, the data presented here do not necessarily represent fully documented results, but are sufficient to develop realistic scenarios of possible reactivation, with the aim of developing an effective Policy Plan.

The Santorini volcanic complex comprises two active volcanic resources, Kameni's volcanic resource located on the land of the homonymous islet between Thera and Thirassia and the submarine volcanic resource of Columbus, approximately 8.5 miles away, a few of kilometers northeast of the homonymous cape on the northeast end of the island of Thira. The last eruption in the Kameni volcanic resource occurred in 1939 AD. This eruption also includes the small residual eruption that occurred in 1950 AD. Similarly, the last eruption in the volcanic canal of Columbus occurred in 1650 AD. In 1956, the volcano woke up to with a earthquake 7.5 R  and the ensuing tsunami destroyed a series of islands while locals died. However, from January 2011 to approximately March 2013 in Santorini a seismic upheaval was observed, accompanied by deformation of the earth's crust.

In any case, the project, "TALOS", starts with the following assumptions: "The occurrence of volcanic activity in the Santorini’s volcanic complex can cause:

·         Injuries and loss of life and a sense of insecurity

·         Damage to the country's infrastructure

·         Direct and indirect financial losses from disasters on citizens' property, in the primary sector (agriculture, livestock breeding), on various infrastructures of the country (electricity, telecommunications networks, etc.), and on the impact on tourism in general.

Note that in November 2019, a group of 30 scientists from the US, Greece, Australia and Germany was found on the island to carry out research supported by NASA. This is a research that can help prepare for a volcanic eruption in time and protect the marine environment.