Strong earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale approximately 80 km southeast of Heraklion, Crete, on 3 June 2025 at 14:26 local time.

A strong earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale occurred at a shallow depth of only 5 kilometres

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 struck at a shallow depth of just 5 kilometres.

The event was picked up quickly by monitoring agencies, and updates came in fast—thankfully, accuracy didn’t lag behind speed.

Locals had mixed reactions. Some folks felt the tremor, others just went about their day, totally unaware.

It’s another reminder of the region’s seismic activity and, honestly, why it’s smart to keep an eye on things here.

Earthquake Details

The earthquake occurred on 3 June 2025 at 11:26 UTC with a magnitude of 5.2 (last revised report 5.3). Depth? Only 5 km below the surface (last revised report 9.2 km).

The epicentre was mapped at 34.8968°N, 25.8482°E, putting it squarely near Crete.

Shaking intensity at the epicentre reached VI, which means strong tremors for those nearby. We felt it clearly here in eastern Crete near Agios Nikolaos!

The quake unleashed around 4 × 10¹² joules of energy—roughly the power of 951 tonnes of TNT, if you’re into those comparisons.

Weather at the epicentre was clear, with temperatures hovering at 26.3°C and a gentle breeze from the north-northwest. Santorini, the nearest known volcano, is about 172 km away from where the quake hit.

Expert Opinions

Crete’s been rattling lately—earthquakes, not just one, but a noticeable cluster. The island sits smack in a seismically active zone, so maybe it’s not a huge shock, but still, it’s got locals and experts paying close attention.

Seismologists are tracking these tremors, trying to figure out if they’re just business as usual or something more. The ground’s restless, and nobody really knows if this is a warning or just a reminder of the region’s natural volatility.

People living on Crete have felt the shakes, some more than others depending on where they are. There’s a bit of anxiety in the air, and you can’t really blame anyone for feeling uneasy.

Authorities are urging folks to stay alert, just in case. Emergency services have been reviewing their plans, hoping they won’t need them but not taking any chances.

Geologists say the tectonic plates here are always under tension. Sometimes, that stress gets released in bursts, which is what seems to be happening now.

There’s a lot of talk about building safety and whether older structures can handle a stronger quake. Some are already thinking about upgrades, but, as always, funding’s an issue.

Tourists, meanwhile, keep coming—maybe a little less aware of the risks, or maybe just not worried. The island’s beauty tends to overshadow its dangers, at least until the ground starts moving.

It’s hard to say what comes next. For now, everyone’s just watching, waiting, and hoping the earth settles down soon.

On 3 June 2025, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck just southeast of Crete. Its epicentre was 14 km east of the island of Chrysi.

The quake’s focus was shallow, about 9.2 km deep. That shallowness meant people across Crete felt it pretty clearly—definitely not something you could just ignore.

This event is part of ongoing seismic activity in the region. Oddly enough, seismologists say it’s independent from other recent quakes.

It doesn’t connect with the 6.6 magnitude quake in 2020 that hit south of Ierapetra. Nor is it related to the 5.8 magnitude earthquake near Rhodes earlier on that same day.

The fault responsible lies south of Ierapetra, running parallel to Crete’s coastline. It hadn’t shown any real activity in the last decade, which makes figuring out what comes next a bit tricky.

Experts are keeping a close eye on the area. They’re hoping to get a better sense of how this fault behaves, though it’s a bit of a waiting game.

The geotectonic situation is mostly about the African tectonic plate pushing northwards. That pressure along the Hellenic arc—where Greece sits—causes this region’s frequent earthquakes and a fair bit of ongoing tension underground.

Recent strong earthquakes in the broader area include magnitudes 6.1 near the Cretan Sea and south of Kasos in just the past few weeks. These quakes suggest a spell of increased seismic activity and stress release along key faults.

Experts agree that the recent activity reflects increased seismic unrest in this part of the Greek arc. Multiple moderate quakes in a short time frame do seem to suggest the faults under Crete are under more stress than usual.

Seismologists are still monitoring all these developments. They’ve pointed out that, while the 5.3 quake might not be the main event, its location near a previously quiet fault is a bit unsettling.

Future tremors—even stronger ones—can’t be ruled out, honestly. The region’s geology is complicated, shaped by tectonic processes and a maze of fault systems.

All of this makes ongoing research feel pretty vital for assessing hazards. And with shallow hypocentres and active faults close to where people live, there’s a real need for preparedness and response planning rooted in solid science.

Source: Hania News

Nearby Locations

People across Crete and even parts of mainland Greece likely felt the quake. Heraklion, with its 137,000 residents, sits about 80 km northwest from the epicentre.

Folks there probably noticed it as a moderate shake—enough to rattle a few nerves, maybe.

Smaller towns and villages closer to the epicentre, mostly in Lasithi and Heraklion regions, got a stronger jolt. The intensity in these spots ranged from moderate to fairly strong.

Understanding Intensity and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale

Ever wonder what exactly people mean when they talk about the “strength” of an earthquake? That’s called its intensity—basically, how much shaking folks actually feel where they are.

Intensity isn’t the same thing as magnitude, which is all about the energy released at the quake’s source. Intensity is more personal; it’s about how strongly the quake hit a specific spot.

The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale is the usual go-to for describing this. It ranks shaking from I (not felt) to X (extreme shaking). The scale uses Roman numerals and sometimes colors to help visualize it, which is kind of handy:

• I to II: Not felt or barely felt
• III to IV: Weak to light shaking
• V and above: Moderate to strong shaking

How intense the shaking feels depends on a mix of things—how powerful the quake was, how deep underground it started, and how far away you are from the epicentre.

If you’re close to the epicentre, chances are you’ll feel it more. Not exactly a surprise, right?

Past Earthquakes in the Area of This Event

This region’s no stranger to earthquakes. There’s a long record of seismic activity here, with quakes of all sizes cropping up over the decades. Tectonic plates don’t really take a break, it seems.

Quite a few notable tremors have shaken the ground within 100 km of this latest epicentre. Each one adds another piece to the puzzle for geologists and seismologists trying to make sense of the area’s patterns.

Map and List of Previous Earthquakes Around the Epicentre

Here’s a quick look at some of the more significant earthquakes near this spot. The distances show how close they got to the current epicentre or to major towns. Magnitude tells you how strong each quake was, and depth is included when known. It’s all about getting a sense of what this patch of earth is capable of.

Plenty of smaller quakes—between 4.0 and 5.7—have shaken things up within 100 km of this epicentre in recent years. They’re reminders that stress is always building and releasing along these local faults.

The biggest one on the list? That’d be the magnitude 7.8 quake from over a century ago in Attica. It’s still the record-holder for this part of Greece since 1900.

Seismic Patterns and Geological Context

This area sits right where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. No wonder it’s always restless.

Most of the shaking comes from these plates pushing and sliding against each other. Earthquakes in the 5.0 to 6.5 range happen every year or so, though the really big ones—over 6.0—are rarer and can be pretty destructive.

Quakes here can start just a few kilometers underground or as deep as 70 km. The shallow ones usually pack a bigger punch at the surface, while deeper ones spread out their energy over a wider area, but don’t shake as hard right above.

Summary of Key Nearby Earthquake Events

• Frequent moderate quakes occurred within 50 to 100 km of Heraklion, Crete, showing the area’s active seismicity.
• Larger magnitude events (6.0+) appeared roughly every 3 to 5 years.
• The recent 6.1 magnitude quake continues this trend of strong seismic activity.
• Historic big earthquakes, including the 7.8 magnitude Attica quake of 1903, give context to the regional hazard level.

Earthquakes just keep happening in this part of Greece and the nearby seas. It’s honestly a bit unsettling how often the ground shakes here.

Looking at the times and places of past quakes, geoscientists get a shot at modeling what might come next. That kind of info really does help guide safety decisions, at least in theory.

Source: Volcano Discovery

How do you protect yourself during earthquakes?

Recent earthquakes near Crete:

Earthquake simulator at the Natural History Museum:

Protection from earthquakes involves preparation before an earthquake and acting safely during an earthquake. Here’s what you should do:

Before an earthquake

1) Prepare an emergency kit: Include water, food, a torch, batteries, first aid supplies, important documents and medications.

2) Secure the room:
– Fasten shelves securely to the walls.
– Place heavy objects on the lower shelves.
– Secure televisions, computers and other heavy items.
– Know how to switch off gas, water and electricity.

3) Create a family emergency plan:
– Know safe places in each room (under sturdy tables, on interior walls).
– Plan and practise evacuation routes.

During an earthquake

If you are in the house:

DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON:
– Drop to your hands and knees (before you’re knocked down).
– Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If there’s nothing to hide under, cover your head and neck with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
– Hold On to your shelter until the shaking stops.
– Keep away from windows, glass and heavy objects that could fall.
– Do not run outside during the quake.

If you are outdoors:

– Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines.
– Stay there until the quake stops.

If you are in a vehicle:

– Stop as quickly and safely as possible.
– Stay inside the vehicle.
– Avoid stopping on bridges, in tunnels or under overpasses.

After an earthquake

– Check yourself and others for injuries.
– Be prepared for aftershocks.
– Inspect the house for damage and hazards (gas leaks, fire, etc.).
– Listen to emergency announcements for information and instructions.
– Use the telephone only in emergencies.

Important notes:
Most earthquake injuries are caused by falling objects and debris, not building collapses. Protect your head and neck and stay calm.

Information from the Greek Civil Protection for earthquakes (in English)

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