April 27, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Earthquake in Crete with a magnitude of 4.6 (4.9) points

Strong and prolonged tremors were felt this afternoon, April 29, 40 km from the city of Heraklion in Crete.

An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale hit the island of Crete at 17:01 on Friday afternoon. According to local residents, the tremor had a long duration and a loud noise. Seismologists are watching the phenomenon.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near the village of Moires, about 40 km south of Heraklion, and had a shallow focus depth of 5 km. Note that several seismological institutes give different magnitudes. Some gave up to 4.9 points.

There were no reports of casualties or property damage. The earthquake was strongly felt in the prefecture of Heraklion, as well as in Rethymnon and Chania.

In conversation with a news site newsit.gr Eftmios Lekkas, head of the Hellenic Organization for Planning and Protection against Earthquakes, stressed that they are monitoring this phenomenon: “We are waiting to see how the situation develops.” Since this area is very seismic and too dangerous to draw additional conclusions.

On another news website Lekkas said the 4.7 quake was due to a fault line independent of the one that caused the 6.3 quake. in the neighboring Arkalochori in October 2021, where earthquakes killed 1 person, injured dozens, and left hundreds of residents in the area homeless.

When asked if the Arkalochori Fault Line poses a risk of reactivation, Lekkas replied that he did not think so. There have been two aftershocks so far. Moreover, judging by the statistics, the inhabitants of this area have to experience the situation of the so-called. “washboard”, when during the day there are up to 20-40 tremors of low intensity.





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