ATHENS – In recent months, landslide events have increased in both frequency and intensity across several regions of Greece, with particularly severe incidents in Epirus, the Ionian Islands, Ilia, and Messinia. According to researchers from the Hellenic Authority for Geological and Mineral Research (EAGME), the intensity and frequency of these events highlight a new reality: “the climate crisis has a decisive impact on the complex morphological landscape, making timely scientific intervention a critical factor for civil protection.”
EAGME teams have already been deployed and are operating in Epirus, Zakynthos, Corfu, Ilia, Messinia, Meteora, and Naxos, planning interventions. As they told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), “the landslide events currently occurring are quite serious and require measures to be taken.”
According to EAGME scientists, the recent surge in geodynamic phenomena results from a complex interaction of natural and environmental factors. At the core of the problem, as noted by EAGME Director Dionysios Goutis, is Greece’s particular geological structure, characterized by soil formations with low cohesion and high susceptibility to weathering. “The steep terrain and slopes create natural instability, which is now being violently activated by the climate crisis. Intense and prolonged rainfall leads to rapid soil saturation and increased pore water pressure, exceeding the shear strength limits of the rocks, resulting in large-scale landslides and subsidence,” he explained.
Professor of Remote Sensing and Morphotectonics, Director of the Remote Sensing Laboratory at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Manolis Vassilakis, added that these events are part of a chain reaction. It begins with summer wildfires, followed by floods – which particularly affect previously burned areas – and then landslides caused by increased water infiltration in the soil and rock formations. “This chain reaction means that areas affected by fire will gradually face floods and landslides. Therefore, as soon as summer wildfires occur, the state must implement projects to prevent landslides,” he told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
EAGME, as the state’s official technical advisor, emphasizes that addressing geohazards requires a shift from crisis management to prevention. “EAGME’s scientific team works continuously to transform geological data into a ‘shield’ for civil protection. The scientific rigor and reliability of our data provide the only safe foundation for designing resilient infrastructure, ensuring the protection of citizens’ lives and property,” stressed Dionysios Goutis.
Professor Vassilakis also underlined the importance of prioritizing prevention and using modern tools, including satellite observation techniques, before the state is confronted with the consequences of these phenomena after the fact.
Material from AMNA was used in this report.