Earthquake of strength 6.1 shakes Crete-tsunami warning pronounced!

Earthquake of strength 6.1 shakes Crete-tsunami warning pronounced!

A severe earthquake of the strength 6:1 today shaked the region off the Greek island of Crete. The epicenter was 58 kilometers northeast of Eloúnda in the southern Aegean at a depth of 68.9 kilometers. The shocks were not only noticeable in Crete, but also to the Peloponnese peninsula, the Cyclades and Cyprus. Residents of Crete reported an unusually long duration of the shocks, which led to unsettled reactions. In response to the threat, the Greek disaster protection prevented a tsunami warning by SMS to the population, although ultimately no tidal wave occurred. Thanasis Ganas, head of the geodynamic institute in Athens, gave the all -clear and hardly forecast.

The quake occurred on the night of May 14, 2025 at 01:51 a.m. (local time) and also had an impact on other Greek islands such as Kos, Rhodes and in Cairo, Egypt. The quake was registered at a depth of 78.4 kilometers. According to Greek media reports, there were no injuries or major damage. As a precaution, a tsunami alarm was sent to people's cell phones. The head of the Greek earthquake authority OASP, EFTHYMIOS LEKKAS, confirmed that no strong aftershocks were to be expected and that it was not a sign of a larger earthquake. He also made it clear that the earthquake had nothing to do with the seismic activities that were registered on the island of Santorini in winter.

seismic activities in the region

Since January 28, 2025, the Aegean has shown an increased seismic activity level. In a week, more than 400 earthquakes were registered with magnitudes between 1.3 and 4.8. The region around Santorini was particularly affected. As a result of this worrying development, the municipal council of Santorini has decided to cancel all planned events in closed rooms. The lessons in kindergartens and schools were also temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

The Turkish civil protection authority Afad pursues the developments in the region with attention. She recommends that the citizens observe official communications and not to spread any unfounded information from social media. Geologist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür advised the population on the Turkish Aegean coast of being vigilant and following the official warnings. These alarming developments were also taken seriously by government officials in Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriako's Mitsotakis has called a crisis meeting with experts and appeals to the population to keep calm and follow the instructions of the authorities.

The Aegean is not only known for its wonderful landscapes, but also for their seismic activity. A strong earthquake of the magnitude 7.0 last occurred in October 2020. The current earthquake series is reminiscent of the region that is geologically active and must be expected at any time with further vibrations.