Un Strong earthquake recorded in the early hours of Wednesday, May 14, 2025 has once again put the spotlight on seismic activity in the eastern Mediterranean. The quake, detected in the sea between the Greek islands of Kasos and Crete, has mobilized authorities both in Greece and other countries in the region. Furthermore, Italy has experienced several recent tremors, increasing concern in the south of the continent.
The first information reveal that the earthquake, with a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale according to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, took place at 01:51 local Greek timeThe epicenter was located at 19 kilometers south-southwest of the island of Kasos, with a focal depth of approximately 62,5 kilometers, which would have contributed to attenuating its intensity on the surface.
Tsunami warning and safety recommendations in Greece
after the earthquake, Greek authorities have issued a tsunami warning as a preventive measure. Residents of nearby islands were asked to Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos to move away from the coast immediately and obey all instructions from the emergency services.
The earthquake was felt especially in Crete, Rhodes, the Cyclades archipelago and even the capital, AthensHowever, according to statements by the president of the Greek Seismic Planning and Protection Organization, the deep location of the epicenter contributed to the lesser force of the shock. So far, No major damage or casualties have been reported on any of the islands near the epicenter.
Furthermore, experts have highlighted that, due to the depth, No major aftershocks or significant seismic sequences are expected.There is also no connection with other recent phenomena in the area, such as the earthquakes in Türkiye or the activity in Santorini.
Regional impact of the earthquake and seismic context
The earthquake was not only felt in Greece. Reports collected by different agencies confirm that the shock was noticeable in Türkiye (especially on the southern coast of Datça and nearby port cities), in Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and even in the southern Italy and CyprusIn all these places, No casualties or serious damage have been reported, although there were episodes of fear and preventive evacuations.
Greek authorities recalled that the area where the earthquake occurred, known as the Greek arch, is one of the most seismically active areas in Europe. There, the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, promoting the periodic occurrence of earthquakes, some of them highly destructive.
Earthquakes and alert in southern Italy: the Phlegraean Fields and Naples
In parallel and just hours before, The Naples region of Italy also experienced a significant seismic swarm. At least 36 tremors were detected, the strongest being of magnitude 4,4. These seismic movements are linked to the volcanic caldera of the Phlegraean Fields, considered by specialists to be one of the most dangerous in the world.
The shocks were felt strongly in Pozzuoli and several areas of NaplesThe episode caused evacuations in schools and universities, suspensions of public transport, blackouts and an atmosphere of unrest among the population. The phenomenon of bradyseism –a slow rise of the ground due to the accumulation of magma and gases– is responsible for this activity, which is increasingly worrying residents and local authorities.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Italy has indicated that the frequency and intensity of tremors in this area have increased and, although so far there has been no serious material damage or injuries, there is still a high level of surveillance.
Historical context and recent activity in the Eastern Mediterranean
The earthquake of May 14, 2025, adds to a long list of earthquakes that have occurred in the Mediterranean region. Greece and its surroundings experience tremors relatively frequently. due to its location on several active tectonic faults. The last fatal seismic event occurred in October 2022 on Samos, where two people died on the island, and more than XNUMX in Izmir, Türkiye.
This latest tremor, although less significant than previous ones, once again highlights the importance of seismic monitoring and emergency preparedness in such a densely populated and highly touristic area. Authorities insist that, despite the limited damage this time, prevention and calm are key to this type of natural phenomena.
Combining seismic activity in the Aegean Sea and the episodes in southern Italy reinforce the need for international coordination for seismic and volcanic monitoring, and the importance of residents always following the recommendations of the authorities.
This wave of seismic movements in Greece and Italy shows that the Mediterranean continues to be a region of high seismicity, where tectonic plate and volcanic activity requires constant vigilance and a culture of active prevention. The authorities' swift response, along with early warning systems, has prevented major consequences on this occasion, demonstrating the importance of being prepared for these natural phenomena.