Moderate Earthquake Shakes Central Greece, Felt as Far as Athens

Greece Desk, Delhi Magazine: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Galaxidi, in central Greece’s Gulf of Corinth, during the early hours of Tuesday morning. The quake, which occurred at 03:06 AM local time, was strong enough to be felt in the capital city of Athens, raising momentary concern among residents but causing no reported damage.

The Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens confirmed the quake’s epicenter was located 13 kilometers southeast of Galaxidi, with a focal depth of 16.8 kilometers. Originally recorded at a lower magnitude, the tremor was later upgraded to 4.8 following further analysis. Eyewitnesses reported a distinctive hum and prolonged shaking, which reached across the region and into southern Attica.

Speaking to Greek media outlets MEGA and ERT, Efthimis Lekkas, President of Greece’s Organization of Anti-Seismic Planning and Protection (OASP), emphasized that while the earthquake was slightly stronger than average for the region, it does not signal any immediate escalation in seismic activity.

“This is a common type of earthquake for the Corinthian Gulf, though slightly outside expected patterns. The area has a history of stronger quakes, but we see no cause for concern at this time,” Lekkas stated. “We are closely monitoring the situation.“

Lekkas also explained that the Corinthian Gulf is a high-seismicity zone, and earthquakes of this magnitude are not unusual. He noted that the tremor was felt in Athens due to the directionality of seismic waves, which allowed the energy to travel farther than usual.

From a global seismic standpoint, Greece is among the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, located on the complex boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Gulf of Corinth, in particular, is a geologically active rift zone where such moderate quakes are part of the ongoing tectonic reshaping of the region.

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Despite the widespread shaking, no injuries or structural damage have been reported, and there has been no disruption to infrastructure or public services. Authorities continue to monitor the area for possible aftershocks.

Global seismic monitoring centers have logged the event, but it falls within typical parameters for the region and does not pose any risk of tsunami or large-scale regional impact.

As of now, the situation remains stable, and international agencies, including the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), continue to track seismic activity in the area.