How often are vibrations on the holiday island?

Crete lies south of the Greek mainland Around 300 kilometers from Africa in the Mediterranean. The island also makes its geographical location so interesting for vacationers. But it always comes up in the region earthquake. On August 7, 2024, there were three stronger earthquakes in Crete within a short time. The quakes had their epicenter southeast of Kaloi Limes in the municipality of Phaistos several kilometers deep in the sea. An earthquake series north of Creta has now again shown that the region is at risk.

Crete: Three earthquakes within around 20 minutes

The first quake in August 2024 had a thickness of 4.1 on the Richter scale. Two minutes later, a stronger shock of 4.8 followed on the Richter scale. About 20 minutes later there was another quake with a thickness of 4.5 on the judge’s scale. According to a report by the Greek news agency Ape mpe the shocks over a large part of the south coast of Crete were felt. However, there were no reports about damage.

The deputy director of the geodynamic institute, Vassilis Karastathis, explained to the radio station after the first two earthquakes Proto program of the state television station Ertthat the region south of Crete is a particularly earthquake -endowed area. « We have intensive (seismic) activities in the area there, » said the expert. In this context, he spoke of « normal activity ».

To Santorini-Erdbieben: How often are vibrations on Crete?

The island of Santorini north of Crete wrote shocking at the end of January and early February 2025 Headlines with several hundred earthquakeswho searched for the island within a few days. The area northeast of Santorini in particular was affected. On the evening of February 5, one even reached the strength 5.2. Much of the population temporarily searched for the width. But that’s not all: how Euronews reported, there was a quake of strength 6.1 in the early morning of May 13th – a tsunami warning was also pronounced.

How often are such vibrations on Crete? Data of the Geodynamic Institute of Athenswhich records all earthquakes in Greece, provide information about seismic activities. It can be seen that earthquakes in the region of Crete are by no means a rarity.

In 2024 a total of 1554 earthquakes Crete and reported to the surroundings. Specifically, this affects a selected region with the coordinates, which are likely to grasp the Crete region: 34,5337 to 35,7822 latitudes and 23,1100 to 26,4331 length levels and at a depth of 0 to 200 kilometers. Most of the shocks occurred in the sea – mainly south of Crete.

By the way: Crete has dream beaches, a wild nature and offers tourists a trip to antiquity. Anyone who opts for the holiday island can seven vacation memories take along.

Only 18 earthquakes with a minimum thickness of at least 4

In the same period, on the other hand, there were only 18 earthquakes that had a thickness of at least 4 on the Richter scale, with the strongest quake had a value of 5.3. It happened on July 21 at a depth of 17.2 kilometers in the sea About 60 kilometers southwest of the small port city of Paleochora on the south side of the island. The seismologist and chair of the Organization for Planning and Protection against Earthquake, Efthymis Lekkas, told the TV station Openthat the earthquake was too far from the country to have an impact on it.

Of the 18 -mentioned earthquakes, the epicenter was in 17 cases in the sea, only one quake took place on the island itself. It had a thickness of 4.2 and was measured 20.5 kilometers southeast of Heraclion. With a thickness between 4 and 5, the shock 30 kilometers around the center can be felt and slight damage is possible.

In 2023, the Geodynamic Institute of Athens said in 1647 earthquakes in the region with the above -mentioned coordinates. These also largely occurred in the sea south or northeast of Crete. Only 21 of them had a strength of at least 4, with the strongest 5.1 showing on the Richter scale.

For 2025, 100 earthquakes in the well -known coordinates have already been found up to and including February 1. Only one of them reached the value 4 on the Richter scale, which occurred on January 3. southwest of Crete.

When were there beforehand larger earthquakes on the island?

The last noteworthy earthquakes in Crete, which were recorded before the quake on July 21st on July 2, 2024. At first an earthquake of the strength was measured 4.5, about 30 minutes later a further shock of 4.6 followed on the Richter scale. The epicenter was at a depth of the sea of ​​around 16 kilometers south of Kaloi Limes in the Heraklion regional district. No injuries or damage were reported.

After the earthquakes, the renowned seismologist and chairman of the Organization for Planning and Protection against Earthquakes, Efthymis Lekkas, told Ert,, that the region south of Crete is the most active earthquake area in the country. The expert was calm about the youngest, larger earthquakes: « This seismic activity does not give any reason to worry. »

If you want to go on vacation in Crete, you should be aware that there can be an earthquake. In most cases, however, the epicenter is several kilometers deep in the sea and the shock is not or only easily noticeable on the island.

By the way: The largest island of Greece has a lot to offer. Crete has beautiful beaches With crystal clear water and Caribbean flair. Find vacationers Sports to snorkel and dive,, Great hiking routes,, Breathtaking gorges and fascinating Waterfalls. On certain places, vacationers can Mass tourism escaped.