Extreme Geological and Weather Hazards in Greece

Greece faces multiple natural hazards:

• Earthquakes: High seismicity (Aegean plate boundary); 1999 Athens quake (M6.0) killed 143.
• Volcanoes: Santorini (active caldera), Nisyros, Methana—monitored closely.
• Wildfires: Summer drought + winds = catastrophic fires (e.g., 2007, 2018, 2021).
• Floods/Flash Floods: Autumn storms cause urban/river flooding.
• Heatwaves: Increasing frequency/intensity; health risks for vulnerable groups.
• Droughts: Multi-year dry spells stress agriculture/water.
• Storm Surges: Coastal erosion and flooding from Mediterranean cyclones.

Climate change is amplifying heat, fire, and flood risks.