During the early morning of May 22th 2025, a powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini, surprising both residents and tourists. The region was already familiar with seismic activity, but this episode has raised new concerns about the vulnerability of islands to natural phenomena and the responsiveness of local authorities.
The earthquake occurred at 06:19 a.m. local time, as well as the epicenter was located in the Aegean Sea, to some 82 kilometers northeast of Heraklion, capital of Crete, and at a depth of approximately 60-68 kilometersSeveral coastal cities were able to feel the shock, which caused windows and furniture to shake and woke up a large part of the population.
Tsunami warning and immediate response
As a precautionary measure, the Geodynamic Institute of Athens immediately issued a tsunami warning, asking citizens and tourists to avoid coastal areas of Crete, Rhodes, Karpathos and KasosThe warning mobilized emergency services and generated some anxiety among residents, although shortly after, after no abnormalities were detected in the sea, the alert was withdrawn.
According to official reports, have not been registered no serious structural damage or casualtiesFirefighters and civil protection services indicated that they did not receive emergency calls related to the earthquake, although they were made preventive evacuations in several coastal areas, especially in areas with a greater presence of tourists.
In Crete and Santorini, the reaction was swift, with many residents commenting on how they woke up to the movement of beds and windowsVideos and photos circulated on social media illustrating the tremor in homes and buildings. As a precaution, some schools carried out evacuation drills and the presence of rescue teams in strategic areas was reinforced.
experts like Efthimis Lekkas, a specialist in disaster management, have highlighted that the depth of the earthquake and its location reduce the risk of intense aftershocks, which has brought some relief to the population. You can read how other extreme events have affected the region in our article on rains and floods in Greece.
A region marked by seismic activity
The islands of the Aegean Sea —including Santorini, Amorgos, Ios and Anafi— are located in one of the most seismically active regions of EuropeThis situation is due to the constant interaction between the African and Aegean tectonic plates. This is not the first time that the region has faced earth movements of this type: there are records of historic earthquakes, such as 365 AD, which generated a devastating tsunami, or that of 1956 in Amorgos.
In recent months, the area has experienced thousands of tremors of low magnitude, especially between January and February, which has prompted precautionary measures such as the temporary closure of schools and the evacuation of tourists. Most of these recent episodes have not caused significant damage or casualties. To better understand the seismic history of the region, see the article on historical mapping of natural events.
El Ministry of Civil Protection of Greece maintains activated protocols for this type of events, considering the possibility of major earthquakes in the future. Experts warn that preparation for a megathrust earthquake This remains a pending task for authorities and the local population. It's also important to learn how animals can anticipate these phenomena in our article. animals and earthquakes.
Social, political and tourism impact
The earthquake has affected the security perception of those who visit these islands, dependent on the international tourism. Although the situation returned to normal after the tsunami warning was lifted, concerns remain about the potential impact on the tourism economy if the seismic episodes continue.
On the other hand, the rapid response of Greek institutions to these emergencies has been appreciated, although the early withdrawal of the tsunami warning has sparked debate about the effectiveness of protocols and public communication. To learn how to prepare for these events, see our article on reversals and weakening of the Earth's magnetic field.
Furthermore, geopolitical tension in the Aegean Sea increases the complexity of the situation, as seismic movements are affecting both Greece and neighboring Turkey, where similar activity has also been recorded, although there is no direct relationship between the two episodes. For more details on other phenomena in the region, see other natural disasters affecting the world.
Authorities stress the importance of being informed and prepared, especially in a region where Earthquakes are part of everyday lifeNormality has been restored in most tourist spots, but it is recommended to follow official instructions and remain calm in the face of future alerts, since the prevention and information are the best tools against these phenomena.