Scientists have detected several thousand earthquakes, the vast majority of them with small magnitudes, in just over two weeks near Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini.

Athens, Greece - Recent Thousands of people have fled the Greek island of Santorini by sea and air, after hundreds of earthquakes shook the volcanic island since Jan 28. Home to around 20,000 permanent residents,

Thousands of locals and travelers have evacuated the Greek island of Santorini amidst a spike in seismic activity.

Earthquakes are still rattling Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini every few minutes as authorities bolster their emergency plans in case the hundreds of temblors in recent days are a harbinger of a larger quake to come.

According to officials, more than 11,000 people have left Santorini, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 people leaving by air. Hundreds of earthquakes have rocked the island, the strongest of which was a magnitude five tremor on Tuesday.

The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on Santorini Island as the earthquake that began at the end of last month continues. According to reports from the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini and U.S. CNN on the 7th, the Greek Ministry of Citizen Protection declared a state of emergency on Santorini Island on the 6th (local time).

The strongest earthquake recorded was magnitude 4.6 at 3:55 p.m. Sunday, at a depth of 14 kilometers (9 miles), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

The Greek island of Santorini was struck by the latest in a string of earthquakes Tuesday, this time a 4.8 temblor. The government said it will backstop the island destination's tourist industry.

The popular Greek holiday island of Santorini has been hit by its strongest earthquake yet as medical staff prepare to evacuate. The latest quake, one of hundreds to hit the volcanic island in recent weeks,