5 days ago
Sun blotted out as sky above Greek islands turn orange after two earthquakes hit
A cloud of Saharan dust hung above the Greek island of Crete over the weekend, causing an eerie hue to fall over Heraklion and Chania. The weather event is called Calima
Things have been feeling a little Biblical in Crete, where the skies have turned orange a week after a strong earthquake hit.
A cloud of Saharan dust hung above the Greek island over the weekend, causing an eerie hue to fall over Heraklion and Chania. The stretched-out, dreary sunset feeling doused the island before a blanket of orange dust began to cover rooftops, cars and the heads of holidaymakers.
Combined with heat and rainfall, the dust created a stifling atmosphere. The Civil Protection Authority of the Region of Crete urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. A particularly urgent plea to stay inside was issued to people with respiratory or heart conditions, as well as children and the elderly.
Hellenic National Meteorological Service warned that there were: 'Approximately 21 kilograms of dust per acre were recorded in Heraklion in just one day." The worst of the weather event was over by Sunday evening, when the southeastern winds responsible for carrying the dust to Crete weakened.
The meteorological phenomenon is a regular one and is known as Calima or Kalima. It takes place when fine sand and dust particles from the Sahara are lifted into the atmosphere and transported by prevailing winds.
The Canary Islands are most frequently impacted by it. In 2002, the Santa Cruz International Airport in Tenerife had to be closed because visibility fell to less than 50 meters. Five years ago, 2,000 people were forced to evacuate Tenerife and Gran Canaria due to the terrible air quality.
It was measured to be the worst air quality in the world that weekend, with about 40 times the particle density considered safe by the World Health Organization. As a result, 745 flights were canceled and 84 others diverted.
Depending on the direction of the wind, the Saharan dust clouds can also reach mainland Europe and northeast to the Greek islands, such as Crete.
A point of particular concern for those reliant on tourism on Crete and other holiday islands impacted by Calima is that it is likely to increase in regularity and intensity. 'We have seen such phenomena before, but the increasing intensity is deeply concerning," a local official in Crete told Agrophillia.
Last year New Scientist reported: "Recently there has been an eightfold increase in these dust intrusions – even during colder months when they are unusual – and the spike in frequency and intensity has researchers concerned they are becoming more common." The culprit is, of course, climate change and rapidly rising global temperatures.
The island has been metaphorically in the wars these past few weeks. Prior to the dust cloud, Crete was hit by two earthquakes. Last Thursday it was rocked by 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck just off the coast, with locals and tourists were urged to stay away from coastal areas. Aftershocks were ongoing for some hours amid fears that a tsunami could hit the islands. Thankfully, the offshore location of the epicentre meant the impact from the seas was limited. A week prior to that a similarly strong earthquake struck.
Claire Gibson, 49, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, had been holidaying with her family at a plush resort in Crete when the second earthquake hit. The flooring and furniture retailer was staying at Hersonissos, and she described the terrifying moment the seismic waves hit the island.
"My phone just woke me up. There was an earthquake notification. The alert went off, woke us up and the whole room was shaking. It was my first experience of an earthquake. The floor was shaking - it was an unsettling experience. The wardrobe doors were banging like mad and we could feel the whole building shake. Thankfully there was no damage. It was my first experience of an earthquake."
