An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude was detected in the Mediterranean Sea west of the island of Crete on Saturday, but there were no reports of casualties the Greek police and fire brigade said.There where only initial reports of material damage.
The centre of the quake, which struck at at 1311 GMT, was 22.5 miles (40 km) below the seabed 43 miles (70 km) west of Chania on Crete, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Greece is often rocked by earthquakes. Most cause no serious damage but a 5.9 magnitude quake in 1999 killed 143 people.
According to the US Geological Survey the quake had a 6.4 magnitude, while the Athens Observatory, quoted by the state-run Athens News Agency, gave it a 6.2 magnitude.
The earthquake struck at 4:12 pm (1312 GMT)“The quake took place in an area known for its seismic activity. It was strongly felt in Crete but also in the rest of Greece,” geology professor Efthymios Lekkas told Skay radio.
According to the radio station, houses and shops in Crete have suffered damage.Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone countries.
Update:
Aftershock magnitude 3.4 on the Richter scale occurred at 16:33 with epicenter in the same area off the coast of Crete, where the powerful earthquake of 6.4 Richter recorded some twenty minutes earlier.
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicenter of the earthquake is in the sea an area of 52 km west of Chania and the focal depth is determined at 15 km.
This one was followed by two more tremors of M 3.3 and M 4.1 BZ Richter at 16:44 and 17:05 with epicenter in the same area.
The first big shock of M 6.4 on the Richter scale was felt throughout Crete, the Cyclades, Athens and Preveza, and so far , according to the information, has caused some structural damage to homes and shops.
Source: NEWS BEAST.GR
USGS preliminary data:
EMSC preliminary data:
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