Latest news with #AthensGeodynamicInstitute
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Epoch Times
Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Crete, No Damage Reported
ATHENS—An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck off the island of Crete in Greece and was felt as far away as Egypt in the early morning hours on Wednesday, but no serious property damage was reported. The quake was at a depth of 22 miles near the island of Karpathos in the Mediterranean Sea, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said, prompting Greek authorities to issue a temporary tsunami warning. Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries and an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Is it safe to travel to Crete? Travel advice after earthquake causes tsunami warning for Greek island
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck off the eastern coast of Crete, Greece's largest island, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which was felt as far away as Egypt. The quake hit near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos, smaller islands near Crete's east coast in the Mediterranean Sea, with a depth of 35km (22 miles), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. No damage or injuries have been reported, but Greek authorities have issued a tsunami warning in the area. Crete is a popular holiday destination due to its pristine beaches, thriving resort scene, rich history and unique natural landscapes, but the island also happens to be one of the most earthquake-prone in Europe. Here is what we know so far about the earthquake. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said on X: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of a possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently does not have any travel advice regarding Crete or Greece as a whole, meaning it should be safe to travel to the country and its islands. Those who are planning a trip to the east coast of Crete, Karos or Karpathos can check for updates from Greek authorities. No injuries or serious property damage have been reported since the earthquake occurred, but authorities are urging people to remain vigilant and move away from the coastal area. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) has shown that the epicentre of the earthquake was near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos, in the Aegean Sea. The islands sit off the east coast of Crete and southwest of Rhodes. Kasos is known as an off-the-beaten-path destination for holidays away from the bustling holiday resorts, while Karpathos has many traditional villages scattered across its mountainous landscape. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection offers advice on what to do when an earthquake or tsunami strikes. The ministry states that not all earthquakes cause a tsunami; however, when you feel an earthquake, it is best to stay alert. Its guidance includes observing whether there is a significant rise or fall of the water level, as this phenomenon is a physical warning for an oncoming tsunami. It says that a relatively small-sized tsunami at parts of the coastline could be transformed into an extremely dangerous one over a distance of several kilometres. 'Stay away from seaside areas until you are informed by the competent authorities that the danger is over,' the ministry says. 'A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves with different times of arrival at the seashore.' 'Do not approach the shore in order to watch a tsunami coming. When you see the tsunami coming, it will probably be too late to avoid it.' The Greek authorities specified that there was a risk of a possible tsunami after the earthquake struck, which was around 48km southeast of Kasos. None of the islands have reported injuries or serious property damage as of Wednesday morning. It has not been unheard of in the past for earthquakes to affect the country, which is prone to seismic activity. Unprecedented levels of activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year. The island of Crete is known as one of Europe's most common zones for earthquakes. In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude quake shook the island just weeks after a deadly tremor killed one person and injured dozens. Greece sits at the line between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, so it is common for seismic activity to be felt there. Greece has thousands of islands, with about 227 of them inhabited, the largest of which is Crete by population and area. The islands are traditionally grouped in different clusters, such as the Argo-Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, the North Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Ionian Islands. Kasos and Karpathos are often classed as being Dodecanese, alongside Rhodes and Kos, while Crete is usually not classed in a group, but delimits the island area in the South. Kasos Island Airport, which operates very few flights in a day, with domestic Olympic Air flights to other islands, have not had any issues with flight itinerary. Similarly, Karpathos Island Airport has not been affected, data from FlightRadar shows. Heraklion International Airport on Crete also has no cancellations or disruptions to its flight schedule, while Rhodes International Airport has minor delays, but overall the earthquake appears to have largely not affected air travel. As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes. In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Crete? Travel advice after earthquake causes tsunami warning for Greek island
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck off the eastern coast of Crete, Greece 's largest island, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which was felt as far away as Egypt. The quake hit near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos, smaller islands near Crete's east coast in the Mediterranean Sea, with a depth of 35km (22 miles), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. No damage or injuries have been reported, but Greek authorities have issued a tsunami warning in the area. Crete is a popular holiday destination due to its pristine beaches, thriving resort scene, rich history and unique natural landscapes, but the island also happens to be one of the most earthquake-prone in Europe. Here is what we know so far about the earthquake. Is it safe to travel to Crete, Greece? Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said on X: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of a possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently does not have any travel advice regarding Crete or Greece as a whole, meaning it should be safe to travel to the country and its islands. Those who are planning a trip to the east coast of Crete, Karos or Karpathos can check for updates from Greek authorities. No injuries or serious property damage have been reported since the earthquake occurred, but authorities are urging people to remain vigilant and move away from the coastal area. Where was the earthquake? The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) has shown that the epicentre of the earthquake was near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos, in the Aegean Sea. The islands sit off the east coast of Crete and southwest of Rhodes. Kasos is known as an off-the-beaten-path destination for holidays away from the bustling holiday resorts, while Karpathos has many traditional villages scattered across its mountainous landscape. What does a tsunami warning mean? Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection offers advice on what to do when an earthquake or tsunami strikes. The ministry states that not all earthquakes cause a tsunami; however, when you feel an earthquake, it is best to stay alert. Its guidance includes observing whether there is a significant rise or fall of the water level, as this phenomenon is a physical warning for an oncoming tsunami. It says that a relatively small-sized tsunami at parts of the coastline could be transformed into an extremely dangerous one over a distance of several kilometres. 'Stay away from seaside areas until you are informed by the competent authorities that the danger is over,' the ministry says. 'A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves with different times of arrival at the seashore.' 'Do not approach the shore in order to watch a tsunami coming. When you see the tsunami coming, it will probably be too late to avoid it.' Are other Greek Islands at risk? The Greek authorities specified that there was a risk of a possible tsunami after the earthquake struck, which was around 48km southeast of Kasos. None of the islands have reported injuries or serious property damage as of Wednesday morning. It has not been unheard of in the past for earthquakes to affect the country, which is prone to seismic activity. Unprecedented levels of activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year. The island of Crete is known as one of Europe's most common zones for earthquakes. In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude quake shook the island just weeks after a deadly tremor killed one person and injured dozens. Greece sits at the line between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, so it is common for seismic activity to be felt there. Greece has thousands of islands, with about 227 of them inhabited, the largest of which is Crete by population and area. The islands are traditionally grouped in different clusters, such as the Argo-Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, the North Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Ionian Islands. Kasos and Karpathos are often classed as being Dodecanese, alongside Rhodes and Kos, while Crete is usually not classed in a group, but delimits the island area in the South. Are flights cancelled? Kasos Island Airport, which operates very few flights in a day, with domestic Olympic Air flights to other islands, have not had any issues with flight itinerary. Similarly, Karpathos Island Airport has not been affected, data from FlightRadar shows. Heraklion International Airport on Crete also has no cancellations or disruptions to its flight schedule, while Rhodes International Airport has minor delays, but overall the earthquake appears to have largely not affected air travel. Can I cancel my holiday? As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes. In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is a tsunami - and what are the tell-tale signs?
Greek authorities issued a temporary tsunami warning this week after a earthquake measuring 5.9 on the richter scale struck off the island of Crete. The country's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection posted on the 112 Greece account: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km southeast of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." The quake - which was felt as far away as Egypt - happened at a depth of 22 miles, near the island of Karpathos in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. The warning was issued in the early hours of May 14, and no tsunami was recorded. Greece is among Europe's most earthquake-prone countries, and is located on a number of fault lines. Earlier this year, an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the holiday island of Santorini for weeks. Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea, and can also be triggered by large rock slides or meteorite impacts. The name 'tsunami' is a Japanese word meaning 'harbour wave'. Tsunamis can travel at hundreds of miles an hour, as fast as a jet aircraft, and are relatively small as they travel over the ocean, only losing speed and gaining height as they approach land. Tsunami waves can be hundreds of feet high, according to the British Geological Society. The British Geological Survey says: 'The wave only becomes dangerous when it approaches land because, due to bottom friction with the seabed, the speed decreases. This causes the wavelength to decrease too and, as it does so, the wave's elevation increases. "As it strikes land it can be tens, if not hundreds, of metres high. With these elevations the wave can be massively destructive.' Unlike earthquakes, experts tend not to use a standard 'scale' to warn of the size of a tsunami, instead looking at the location, magnitude and depth of the earthquake that caused the wave. Scales such as the Papadopoulos-Imamura tsunami intensity scale measure tsunamis, but tend to be less widely used than, for example, the Richter scale for earthquakes. Authorities issue warnings if tsunamis are likely to occur, based on recent earthquakes, but there are also 'natural tsunami warnings'. The US National Weather Service says that if you experience any one of the following warning signs, it could be a sign that a tsunami is incoming. The Weather Service says, 'Natural tsunami warnings include strong or long earthquakes, a loud roar (like a train or an airplane) from the ocean, and unusual ocean behaviour. 'The ocean could look like a fast-rising flood or a wall of water. Or, it could drain away suddenly, showing the ocean floor, reefs and fish like a very low, low tide.' Tsunami warnings are typically issued at the earliest moment, based on seismic information (i.e. at the moment when an earthquake that might trigger a tsunami is detected). The warning alerts the public that a tsunami may be on its way, and alert local emergency management officials to take measures such as evacuating areas or moving ships to deeper waters. Organisations such as UN's the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) work with governments to coordinate tsunami warnings. Most tsunamis (around 80% of them) happen within the geologically active area in the Pacific Ocean known as the 'ring of fire'. But tsunamis are not unknown in Britain, according to the British Geological Survey. The BGS writes, 'Here, 8200 years ago off Norway, a massive submarine landslide generated a tsunami that was up to 30m high when it flooded northern Britain. This tsunami is best recorded in Shetland by sediments deposited as the land was flooded. 'In southern Britain, in the Dover Straits in 1580, it is believed that a cliff fall of the Chalk cliffs north of Dover caused a tsunami that flooded the coast of France.' The IOC and UNESCO advise that people should get to higher ground or move inland if there is a tsunami warning, or signs of a tsunami. People are advised to head to the third storey of a concrete and reinforced building if they cannot get to higher ground, or climb a strong tree if a building is not available. If that fails, people are advised to look for something to use as a raft. The IOC and UNESCO advise that people should stay out of danger zones until an all-clear is issued as tsunamis can last for hours. Areas are at greater risk if they are less than 7 metres (23 feet) above sea level and within 2km (1.2 miles) of the coastline. The first tsunami wave is often not the largest, the IOC/UNESCO advise, and waves can move several hundred feet inland, travelling up rivers and streams and 'wrapping round' islands to impact coasts not facing the wave. The biggest tsunami ever recorded happened in Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958 after an earthquake triggered a rock slide. An enormous mass of rock measuring 2,400 feet by 3,000 feet and estimated to weigh as much as 90 million tons crashed into Gilbert Inlet, unleashing a huge tsunami wave. The landslide generated what remains the tallest wave ever documented, reaching heights of up to 1,719 feet within the enclosed bay. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century and the worst tsunami disaster in history. Arriving on Boxing Day, an undersea earthquake triggered waves of up to 100ft high and killed an estimated 227,898 people.
LBCI
14-05-2025
- Climate
- LBCI
Powerful earthquake strikes off Crete, no damage reported
An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck off the island of Crete in Greece and was felt as far away as Egypt in the early morning hours on Wednesday, but no serious property damage was reported. The quake was at a depth of 35 km (22 miles) near the island of Karpathos in the Mediterranean Sea, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said, prompting Greek authorities to issue a temporary tsunami warning. Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries and an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year. Reuters
