Schools have been shut and public gatherings are being discouraged on the Greek island of Santorini as local authorities put the popular tourist spot on high alert for a big earthquake, following scores of small temblors over the last two days.

A spike in seismic activity on Santorini has spooked many on the island with concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake. Residents and visitors were advised to avoid large indoor gatherings and areas where rock slides could occur,

A series of earthquakes near the Greek island of Santorini have led authorities to shut down schools, dispatch rescue teams with sniffer dogs and sent instructions to residents including a request to

Greek officials are warning those on the popular tourist island destination of Santorini to stay alert in the coming days due to increasing seismic activity which could mean a strong earthquake is possible.

ATHENS (Reuters) -Greek authorities have warned of an increase in seismic activity around the Aegean tourist island of Santorini, advising people to avoid four ports, empty their pools, refrain from gathering in indoor spaces and shut schools on Monday.

More than 200 tremors have been registered since Friday between the Greek volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos.

Greece sits on multiple fault lines and is often rattled by earthquakes. Santorini is visited by about three million people annually, including many British tourists. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC, formed the island in its current shape, while the last eruption in the area occurred in 1950.

Schools on the Greek island of Santorini have been told to close on Monday in response to an increase in seismic activity in recent days. Authorities have also advised against "large gatherings in enclosed spaces" across the island - a popular tourist destination known for its whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches.

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.

Greek authorities have advised people on the Aegean island of Santorini to shut schools on Monday, avoid two small ports and refrain from gathering in indoor spaces after increased seismic activity in the area over recent days.

Fresh overnight tremors shook Greece's top tourist island Santorini, media reports said Monday, prompting people to sleep outdoors and others to leave by plane or ferry.