Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes Crete – tsunami warning issued!

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes Crete – tsunami warning issued!

A severe 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the region off the Greek island of Crete today. The epicenter was 58 kilometers northeast of Eloúnda in the southern Aegean Sea at a depth of 68.9 kilometers. The tremors were felt not only on Crete, but also as far as the Peloponnese peninsula, the Cyclades and Cyprus. Residents of Crete reported that the tremors lasted for an unusually long time, which led to uncertain reactions. In response to the threat, the Greek civil protection agency preemptively sent a tsunami warning to the population via SMS, although no tsunami wave ultimately occurred. Thanasis Ganas, research director at the Geodynamic Institute in Athens, gave the all-clear and predicted few aftershocks.

The quake occurred on the night of May 14, 2025 at 1:51 a.m. (local time) and also had an impact on other Greek islands such as Kos, Rhodes and Cairo, Egypt. The quake was recorded at a depth of 78.4 kilometers. According to Greek media reports, there were no injuries or major damage. As a precautionary measure, a tsunami alert was sent to people's cell phones in Rhodes. The head of the Greek earthquake authority OASP, Efthymios Lekkas, reiterated that no strong aftershocks were to be expected and that this was not a sign of a major earthquake. He also clarified that the earthquake had nothing to do with the seismic activity recorded on the island of Santorini during the winter.

Seismic activity in the region

Since January 28, 2025, the Aegean Sea has recorded increased levels of seismic activity. More than 400 earthquakes, with magnitudes between 1.3 and 4.8, were recorded in one week. The region around Santorini was particularly affected. As a result of this worrying development, the Santorini Municipal Council has decided to cancel all planned indoor events. Classes in kindergartens and schools were also temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

The Turkish civil protection agency AFAD is closely following developments in the region. It recommends citizens to pay attention to official communications and not to spread unfounded information on social media. Geologist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür has advised the population of Turkey's Aegean coast to be vigilant and follow official warnings. These alarming developments were also taken seriously by government officials in Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called an emergency meeting with experts and appealed to the population to remain calm and follow the authorities' instructions.

The Aegean Sea is known not only for its beautiful landscapes, but also for its seismic activity. A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 last occurred in October 2020. The current series of earthquakes is a reminder that the region is geologically active and further tremors can be expected at any time.