Earthquakes Continue in Santorini

Lesson made on February 7, 2025

Download Printable Lesson (PDF)

Download Printable Answer Key (PDF)

Reading Lesson:

Santorini is one of Greece’s most famous islands, known for its stunning white buildings with blue domes and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. It attracts millions of tourists each year who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches, charming villages, and unique history.

The island of Santorini has been hit by thousands of earthquakes in the past week, making many residents worried. About 75% of the island’s 15,000 people have already evacuated after the strongest quake so far shook the island. Many more smaller quakes continued the next day.

Scientists are puzzled by this unusual pattern of earthquakes. Experts also don’t know if these tremors are leading up to something bigger. Some past large earthquakes have had warning shakes beforehand, but it’s unclear if that’s the case now.

Santorini sits on a volcanic chain, but these earthquakes don’t seem to be volcanic. A volcano on the island became active last summer, and in January, there was a sudden increase in small earthquakes. Since then, the shaking has gotten worse. Experts say the earthquakes come in pulses. When a stronger one happens, smaller ones follow for an hour or two before things calm down again.

Even though many people have left, some refuse to go. Extra police and military forces are on the island in case of a bigger emergency. Scientists are using computers to study past earthquakes from 2002 and 2004 to see if they can predict what will happen next. However, no one knows for sure when the shaking will stop or if a bigger quake is coming.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why have most residents of Santorini left the island?

a) The government forced them to leave.
b) Scientists said a volcano would erupt soon.
c) They were afraid the earthquakes could become more dangerous.
d) Tourists stopped visiting, so they lost their jobs.

2. Why do tourists like to come to Santorini?

a) To enjoy skiing in the mountains.
b) To see the volcanoes.
c) To learn about earthquakes.
d) To enjoy its beaches and architecture.

3. What might be one reason why scientists are confused by these earthquakes?

a) The earthquakes are caused by human activity.
b) This is the first time earthquakes have happened on Santorini.
c) The earthquakes do not follow a usual pattern.
d) The earthquakes are only happening in the ocean.

4. What do we know about the earthquakes on Santorini?

a) A major earthquake is definitely coming soon.
b) Scientists are unsure if bigger earthquakes will happen soon.
c) The earthquakes will stop within a week.
d) The earthquakes are part of a normal seasonal pattern.

5. Why are scientists studying past earthquakes from 2002 and 2004?

a) To understand if there is a pattern that can help them predict what will happen now.
b) To prove that earthquakes never happened on Santorini before.
c) To find out if the volcano on Santorini was active during those years.
d) To create an emergency evacuation plan for residents.

6. Which of these statements is false?

a) Santorini’s volcano became active last summer.
b) The earthquakes are following a clear pattern.
c) Some people have decided to stay on the island.
d) Scientists are using computers to study past earthquakes.

7. How do the earthquakes seem to happen?

a) They come in waves, with a strong quake followed by smaller ones.
b) They happen every day at the same time.
c) They only happen after the volcano erupts.
d) They happened in January, then completely stopped.

8. Why might extra police and military be sent to the island?

a) To stop tourists from entering Santorini.
b) To investigate if the earthquakes are fake.
c) To arrest scientists who cannot predict the earthquakes.
d) To help evacuate people and respond to emergencies.

9. How do scientists hope computers will help them?

a) By analyzing past earthquakes to see if there is a pattern.
b) By stopping the earthquakes from happening.
c) By showing where the next earthquake will hit.
d) By keeping track of how many people have evacuated.

10. What is the main idea of the article?

a) Santorini’s tourism is increasing every year.
b) Scientists have discovered a new volcano on Santorini.
c) Santorini is experiencing unusual earthquakes, and experts are unsure what will happen next.
d) Extra police and military forces are on Santorini in case a big emergency happens.

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. If you were in Santorini during the earthquakes, would you stay or leave? Why?

2. Have you ever experienced an earthquake or another natural disaster? What happened?

3. What are some famous things that visitors can see and do in Greece?

About Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a small group of islands in Greece, located in the Aegean Sea. Its history goes back thousands of years. Long ago, people from an ancient civilization called the Minoans lived there. They built houses, roads, and artwork, showing they had an advanced culture. However, around 1600 BCE, a massive volcanic eruption changed everything. The explosion was so powerful that it caused part of the island to collapse, forming a giant, water-filled crater called a caldera. Many historians believe this disaster led to the fall of the Minoan civilization.

After the eruption, different groups of people settled on the island over time. The Phoenicians, Dorians, and Romans were among those who lived there. In the Middle Ages, Santorini became part of the Byzantine Empire and later was ruled by the Venetians. During this time, they built castles to protect themselves from pirates. The island eventually became part of Greece in the 19th century.

Today, Santorini is known for its white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and beautiful sunsets. The caldera, created by the ancient eruption, is now surrounded by cliffs where towns have been built. Tourists visit the island to see its history, enjoy the views, and explore the ruins of Akrotiri, a city buried by volcanic ash. The island’s past and natural beauty make it one of the most famous places in Greece.

Link: Images of Santorini, Greece

ESL Lesson about the Los Angeles Fires

ESL Lesson about Volcano in the Philippines

ESL Lesson about Too Many Tourists in an Italian Mountain Town