Latest news with #EarthquakeandPlanningProtectionOrganisation
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tsunami warning issued after holiday hotspot rocked by 6.1 magnitude earthquake
A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the southern Greek islands early on Thursday. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's epicentre was located in the sea, 58 kilometres north-northeast of Elounda on the northern coast of Crete, at a depth of 69 kilometres. The tremor was widely felt across the Aegean Sea and as far afield as Egypt, Israel and Turkey. Regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos told state-run television that "there are no reports of injuries or any serious damage" following initial assessments of the affected areas. Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation head Efthymios Lekkas explained that the depth of the quake likely reduced its impact on the surface. However, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) has issued tsunami alerts as a precaution. They said: "Depending on the distance of the earthquake from the coastline, the tsunami could be local (<100 km), regional (<1,000 km) or distant (>1,000 km)." Istanbul University geophysics professor Okan Tuysuz noted that while aftershocks of up to magnitude 5 are possible in the coming days, the risk of a tsunami remains low. He told Turkish media: "Tsunamis develop more in earthquakes that are especially close to the surface. It is possible for this earthquake to cause a tsunami, but the probability is low." Authorities have activated tsunami evaluation procedures for coastal areas, particularly holiday hotspots in southern Crete. Emergency response protocols have also been initiated in anticipation of any further seismic activity. In the aftermath of the quake, a number of smaller roads have been closed due to landslips, including the route between Myrtos and Tertsa in Crete, causing major traffic disruption, firefighters have said. The popular Imbros Gorge in Sfakia, an 11km canyon that attracts many visitors in the summer, has also been closed for the day as a precaution. This latest quake follows another strong tremor just last week, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the island of Kasos off southern Crete. That quake was also felt across the Aegean and as far as Israel and Egypt, but caused no significant damage. Greece and the Aegean islands are in one of the most seismically areas in all of Europe - making it more likely to experience earthquakes. This is because the country lies at the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. It's also affected by the smaller Anatolian Plate, creating complex fault systems and frequent earthquakes. Mountainous terrain on Greece's islands also amplifies the impact of tectonic movements, making them more likely to be felt. Historically, the region has experienced devastating quakes. One of the most destructive, the 7.2 magnitude Great Kefalonia Earthquake of 1953, killed an estimated 800 people and destroyed nearly 90% of buildings on the island. It also triggered tsunamis and powerful aftershocks across the Ionian Islands, which lead to major changes to Greece's building codes to improve earthquake resilience.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 jolts Greek islands, no injuries reported
An undersea 6.1-magnitude earthquake scale struck off the Greek island of Crete early Thursday and was felt across the Aegean Sea, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage. The quake occurred some 55 kilometres north of the island, according to the Geodynamics Institute of Athens at a depth of 37 kilometres beneath the seabed. Regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos told state-run television that there are no reports of injuries or any serious damage following initial assessments of the affected areas. The shock was felt extensively across islands throughout the Aegean Sea. Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation director Efthymios Lekkas noted that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage. Greece sits on major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Wales Online
Foreign Office warning for holidaymakers after earthquake in Greece
Foreign Office warning for holidaymakers after earthquake in Greece The epicentre of the quake was just north of Crete The famous palm forest and beach at Vai, on Eastern Crete, Greece A 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook southern Greek islands early on Thursday. The epicentre was in the sea 36 miles north-northeast of Elounda, which is on the northern coast of Crete. It was 43 miles deep, according to the US Geological Survey. Regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos told state-run television that 'there are no reports of injuries or any serious damage' following initial assessments of the affected areas. The shock was felt extensively across islands throughout the Aegean Sea. Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation director Efthymios Lekkas noted that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage. Greece sits on major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns tourists to stay alert to natural disasters in Greece. Their alert reads: "Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods." Article continues below It adds: "The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual." Sccording to Foreign Offioce advice, you should: familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake follow advice given by the local authorities call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger Article continues below For further guidance on how to prepare for earthquakes, visit the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection (in English) and to see, for anywhere in Greece, where your nearest assembly points are located in case of emergency you can visit (map with text in Greek). To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, register for alerts from the Greek government's Emergency Communication Service) (in English):
