A 6.3-magnitude powerful quake strikes Santorini, Greece — How safe the historic windmills? Explore the past, present, and future of these iconic landmarks.
A 6.3 magnitude tremor earthquake hits the Mediterranean Sea early Wednesday, sending tremors across southern Greece. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck at 1:51 a.m. EET, the local time, about 14 miles southeast of Fira and 30 miles from Kasos.
The quake was initially thought to have a magnitude of 6.1, but updated seismic data has adjusted that somewhat. Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued an early tsunami warning, urging residents and tourists to “immediately evacuate the coast.“
The tremors serve as a chilling reminder of the country’s fragile geography—while there have been few casualties or damage to human life, they have raised concerns about the safety of its historical monuments, particularly the centuries-old windmills.
The tremors were felt in the heart of the country, including Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. The quake was also felt in Egypt. The country’s National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics said the quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, but there were no reports of casualties or property damage.
Greece is prone to earthquakes because the country is located on several fault lines and is prone to occasional tremors.
According to the Seismological Laboratory of the University of Athens, more than 18,400 earthquakes were recorded in the Cyclades archipelago between January 26 and February 13, with the largest number occurring on the tourist island of Santorini.
Santorini’s Windmills: A Symbol of Heritage
While the world is racing towards wind power, why is Greece different? Santorini is world-famous for its iconic whitewashed windmills, perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the azure sea. The wind is a source of energy and a tourist attraction.
While many visitors are enamored with the rich history and beauty behind these stunning structures, many are unaware of the risks they face.
Wind power is a vital source of modern electricity not only because it is historic in Greece, but also because windmills were used on this location as early as the 14th century, but none of these earliest structures have survived.
The remaining windmills mostly date from the 17th and 18th centuries, once were playing a vital role in milling wheat and barley, driven by the island’s famous northerly winds. At their peak, there were about 70 windmills scattered throughout Santorini, especially near the island’s capital, Fira (Thira).
Greece Earthquake Messages
Recent earthquake a bigger message:
Preserving history means protecting it not only from the hands of time, but also from the forces of the earth.
Calling residents and visitors:
move away from the coast immediately
Santorini Greece 6.0 Earthquake Warning
Santorini is identified as an ongoing earthquake cluster. Seismic data from the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) was released on February 9, stating that more than 1,200 earthquakes with magnitudes of 1.0 to 5.2 occurred between January 25 and February 7, 2025. The report is being continuously updated.
One of the major reason is many windmills have been creatively converted into luxury accommodation and holiday rentals, offering a unique experience for visitors while preserving the beauty of the biosphere.
Many are abandoned and unprotected. They are now vulnerable to weather and earthquakes. Recent earthquakes have raised questions about how well these ancient structures are preserved and can withstand future natural disasters.
Greece is located in one of the most earthquake in Europe, and Santorini’s windmills hold a iconic symbol and imagination that is in dire need of preservation. Not only windmills are the beautiful assets, but they are also a symbol of resilience, a reminder of how people once lived in harmony with nature. But without disaster preparedness, these mills may not be around for future generations.
Greece Wind Energy
It is worth noting that wind power is currently a key component of Greece’s efforts to transition to a renewable energy future and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, with the largest number of wind farms located in Central Greece, followed by the Peloponnese, East Macedonia and Thrace. and wind power projects in Greece are concentrated in certain regions, with Central Greece leading the way with 2.35 GW of electricity generation. Presently, the country generates 10.7 GWh from wind power, or 20.2% of its electricity consumption. According to the IEA Wind TCP, Greece’s total installed wind power capacity in 2024 was 5,355 MW. However, Greece’s wind energy sector is growing rapidly, with an estimated total wind power requirement of 7,000 MW to achieve a 66% RES share in electricity generation by 2030.
In last words, the 6.3 magnitude earthquake Greece reminds us the historical symbol. With such incredible advances in Greek wind power, it is essential to protect the windmills of the particular area, which have endured centuries of storms, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Whether preserved as museums or reborn as luxury accommodations, these iconic Greek windmills deserve to be preserved.
