Greek seismologists are on alert and closely monitor the seismic activity in Crete with a total of 100 small and medium-size earthquakes to have occurred during the last six days The scientists are still not in position to determine whether the series of tremors are the pre-seismic activity of a larger quake yet to strike, or a simple cluster of tremors.
Geodesy Research Institute Research Director Gerasimos Chouliaras posted a map with the seismic activity of the past 30 days incl the strong earthquakes in Albania, Bosnia, the Greek seismic arch and Crete.
“It seems that this periodic excitation is related to the whole seismo-tectonic of the area and it is of great scientific interest to see if there is a connection between the different seismic sources,” Houliaras wrote.
Seismology professor and Research Director at the Geodynamic Institute, Athanasios Ganas told protothema that the seismic activity is part of the usual seismic activity of the Greek fault line. He added, though, that it is not yet clear whether it is a normal high-frequency cluster or prelude to a large quake.
“Since December 6, a seismic sequence has begun in the submarine area southeast of Paleochora between Paleochora and Sfakia. This seismic sequence has many small and medium-sized earthquakes. We have recorded 101 tremors in six days and the phenomenon is being monitored. Meanwhile, another two earthquakes occurred one on December 10, before the submarine tremor of Palekastro and Kassos. It was a 5.4 magnitude earthquake but 54 kilometers deep and this morning we had a 4.8 magnitude earthquake east of Zakros. All these is part of the usual seismic activity of the Greek arch, “he said.
Speaking on Open TV, Research Director at the Geodetic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, Gerasimos Papadopoulos, emphasized that the Greek seismic arc has been destabilized, the African plate is projecting further earthquakes, yet not necessarily large ones.
Since last Friday and within five days, at least 100 earthquakes ranging from 2 R to 4.5 Richter have occurred south of Paleochora in the Prefecture of Chania, West Crete.
“On Tuesday night, the seismic activity shifted to the East of Crete, with a moderate magnitude 5.3 earthquake and also significant focal depth. A few hours later there was another earthquake of about 140 kilometers (4.1 kilometers) on the Kea Sea. The birth of a series of deep earthquakes in the general area of Crete and the Southwest Aegean is probably not accidental, ”Papadopoulos estimated.
More on the recent earthquakes off Crete here.
