Current update on the earthquake of magnitude 6.1 east of Ierapetra and south of Karpathos and Samaria Gorge remains closed today..
Detailed analysis of the earthquake in eastern Crete
A powerful earthquake registering 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted the region at 01:51, right in the middle of the night. The epicentre? About 35 kilometres south of Kasos Island, tucked deep beneath the sea.
With a focus depth estimated at 62.1 kilometres, this was a relatively deep event. That depth probably changed the way it was felt on the surface—less violent, but longer-lasting.
The tremor was widely felt, especially across eastern Crete. Many people woke up in a panic, startled by shaking that seemed to last forever.
Luckily, there weren’t immediate reports of injuries or major damage. Still, the intensity was enough to rattle nerves and send folks out of bed.
Key details of the earthquake:
Parameter |
Value |
|---|---|
Magnitude |
6.1 |
Date and Time |
Wednesday, 01:51 |
Epicentre Location |
35 km south of Kasos |
Depth (Focus) |
62.1 km |
Area affected |
Mainly eastern Crete |
Residents described the movement as prolonged, not just a quick jolt. Emergency services kept a close eye on things, checking for any emerging impacts and making sure people stayed safe.
Earthquakes like this aren’t rare in this seismically active area, but each one brings its own worries. Local communities tend to take them seriously, and for good reason.
Emergency Alert from the 112 System
After the quake, the Civil Protection Authority fired up the 112 emergency alert system. Around 2:10 a.m., a warning pinged phones across eastern Crete, Kasos, and the surrounding islands.
The message flagged a possible tsunami risk and told everyone to move away from the coast—immediately, no hesitation. It was pretty clear about what needed to be done.
The alert contained the following key points:
Alert Details |
Instructions |
|---|---|
Earthquake magnitude: 5.9 – 6.1 |
Evacuate coastal areas promptly |
Location: South-Southwest of Kasos (48 km) and east of Heraklion (164 km) |
Follow directions from local authorities |
Depth: Approximately 71 km |
Remain cautious for further updates |
The message stressed acting quickly and not waiting around. It also urged people to keep an eye out for updates from the fire department, police, and other emergency services.
Folks in Crete, Rhodes, and Kos all felt the quake pretty strongly. Some near the epicentre even reported multiple waves, which definitely upped the anxiety.
The 112 system gets the word out fast, which is honestly crucial in moments like these. It’s just one of those things that, while you hope you’ll never need it, you’re glad it’s there when it counts.
Residents are reminded: don’t ignore these alerts, and don’t wait to act. Better safe than sorry, right?
Reassurance from earthquake expert
Efthymis Lekkas, a leading expert in tectonics and applied geology, recently spoke about the 6.1 magnitude earthquake near Kasos and Crete. He pointed out that the quake’s depth—about 60 kilometres below the surface—played a big role in what people felt on the ground.
That depth, he explained, meant the shaking that reached places like Kasos, Karpathos, and especially Crete, was noticeably weaker. Early reports from locals seem to back this up: minor damage, nothing serious so far.
Lekkas also brought up another point: earthquakes this deep tend to be single events. You don’t usually see a bunch of strong foreshocks or a long string of aftershocks with these.
Basically, it’s a one-off, not the start of a series. That’s at least a little comforting if you’re living nearby.
The quake happened along the Greek arc, where the European and African tectonic plates meet. It was felt in other parts of the southeastern Aegean too—Rhodes and Kos, for instance—so its reach was pretty broad.
When asked about any connection to recent quakes in the region, Lekkas was pretty clear: there isn’t one. The Kasos quake isn’t related to those at Santorini, which are volcanic in nature.
It’s also not the same as the earthquakes in Turkey along the North Anatolian Fault. Each of these areas has its own tectonic quirks and dynamics.
Key Points |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Depth of earthquake |
60 km underground, reducing wave strength by the time it reaches the surface |
Single-event nature |
No significant foreshocks or aftershocks expected |
Location |
Situated on the Greek arc plate boundary between the European and African plates |
Geographic reach |
Felt in Kasos, Karpathos, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, and the southeastern Aegean |
No link to other quakes |
No connection to Santorini’s volcanic earthquakes or Turkey’s fault line events |
Summary of Earthquake Characteristics
- Magnitude: 6.1 on the Richter scale
- Focus Depth: 60 km, considered deep
- Seismic Activity: Single and isolated event
- Affected Areas: Islands in the southeastern Aegean
Samaria Gorge remains closed today due to the earthquake
Due to the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred overnight to the east of Crete, the Samaria Gorge is temporarily suspended. The purpose of the suspension is to inspect the route.
The announcement states the following:
‘The Environment and Climate Change Agency announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will be closed to visitors in order to check the route against possible rock falls. A further announcement will be made late this afternoon.’
Original message from last night, shortly after 2 a.m. local time
Strong earthquake at a depth of 78 km (Update from 36 km) south of Kasos, Greece, on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, at 01:51 local time. Very clearly felt in eastern Crete!
This earthquake must have been felt everywhere in the immediate radius of the epicentre, and it cannot be ruled out that there was slight damage to houses. The nearest city to the epicentre was Sitia, Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra (the last two c.115 kilometres away).
Definitely the strongest quake I can remember after more than 20 years on Crete!
As I write this, a tsunami warning has just gone out!
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