Residents of Santorini Face Alert Fatigue Amid Constant Earthquakes

Santorini is enduring frequent earthquakes, leading to alert fatigue among residents who are overwhelmed by media sensationalism regarding their safety. Many have left the island, further straining local resources, while those who remain cope with ongoing anxiety and uncertainty about the future of their community and its economy.

Santorini continues to experience frequent earthquakes, causing significant distress among its residents. The constant tremors have led to widespread alert fatigue, as locals grow weary of ongoing fears fueled by sensational media coverage about potential disasters, including the reactivation of the island’s ancient volcano. Although experts suggest that a major earthquake like the one in 1956 is unlikely, the focus on potential future risks keeps residents on edge.

Most residents have opted to tune out national news outlets and instead listen to local sources like Volcano TV, which is perceived as more credible. Vassilis Tsatsanidis, a local diving instructor, emphasizes the importance of local broadcasting in delivering balanced information to the community. Many families, including Tsatsanidis’, have adjusted by conducting school lessons online, highlighting the impact of the situation on daily life.

Over 10,000 individuals have reportedly left Santorini, many of whom were not native to the island. This exodus has left the local economy struggling, particularly as craftsmen and service providers have departed. Construction projects have come to a halt due to safety concerns, which adds to anxiety over readiness for the upcoming tourist season, critical for the island’s economy.

Seismologist Kostas Papazachos compares the residents’ current state of anxiety, termed “danger fatigue,” to the mental health impacts during the Covid pandemic. Local residents express feelings of panic during tremors and cope by estimating the strength of each quake. This adaptation shows the community’s resilience amid continuing uncertainty and constant seismic activity.

Santorini residents are experiencing alert fatigue due to persistent seismic activity and heightened media alerts about potential disasters. Many locals have turned to community-based news sources for information while coping with the psychological impacts of ongoing tremors. The departure of a significant population has strained local resources and heightened concerns about safety and economic stability as the tourist season approaches.

Original Source: www.ekathimerini.com