A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Kasos, causing concern across several regions, especially in Crete and Rhodes. However, seismologists are reassuring the public that there is no reason to panic, as the quake did not result in any significant damage.
The epicenter was located approximately 20 kilometers south of Kasos, at a focal depth of 64.4 kilometers. The tremor was strongly felt across much of Crete and the Dodecanese islands. Authorities issued a precautionary tsunami warning, which was later lifted after no abnormal sea activity was detected.
Scientific Assessment
Efthymios Lekkas, President of the Hellenic Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), told ERTNews that the earthquake occurred along the Hellenic Arc – the tectonic boundary where the African and European plates converge. He explained that the significant depth of around 60 kilometers reduced the energy reaching the surface, minimizing its impact on populated areas like Kasos, Karpathos, and Crete.
He also pointed out that such deep-focus earthquakes are typically isolated events, meaning they do not produce strong foreshocks or aftershocks, describing them as “one-off” seismic occurrences.
No Link to Santorini or Turkey Quakes
Lekkas emphasized that this particular seismic event is unrelated to recent earthquakes in Santorini or Turkey. He clarified that Santorini lies within the volcanic arc, while earthquakes in Turkey are associated with the Anatolian Fault – two entirely different geotectonic systems.
No Reported Damage in Kasos, Karpathos, or Crete
According to the Mayor of Kasos, Michalis Erotokritos, no damage has been reported on the island, a situation mirrored in nearby Karpathos. Similarly, ERT correspondent Giorgos Papadakis reported from Heraklion that while the quake was strongly felt in eastern Crete, no incidents or damages were recorded.
Despite the considerable distance from the epicenter, residents in Heraklion described the quake as a sequence of three fluctuating “waves,” lasting approximately 15 seconds.
