A strong earthquake shook Mount Athos in northern Greece early Monday morning, measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale.
According to revised data from seismologists, the epicenter was located about 9 kilometers west of Karyes, the administrative center of Mount Athos. The quake struck at a focal depth of 8 kilometers, making it relatively shallow and more easily felt at the surface. The tremor was reported in several surrounding areas, though there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
While experts stress there is no cause for alarm, the phenomenon is drawing attention in the scientific community. Efthymios Lekkas, president of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, noted that seismic activity in the area has been ongoing since early 2024, with more than 1,000 recorded tremors. Of these, ten have measured above 4.0, including a 5.2 quake three months ago — the strongest so far.
“It does not worry us, but from a scientific perspective we are concerned,” Lekkas told public broadcaster ERT. “The fault producing these earthquakes still has energy, though I do not believe it will exceed the 5.2 level.”
He explained that this particular fault had not produced earthquakes before 2024 and was only recently identified through instrumental data. Located partly under the seabed and extending into land at depth, its dimensions remain unclear.
“We cannot predict the intentions of nature,” Lekkas said, stressing that earthquakes are far harder to forecast than weather events. “All we know is based on seismic recordings, which do not always reflect the exact processes taking place underground.”
Despite the uncertainty, he expressed cautious optimism: “I believe the activity will continue with smaller magnitudes, but we will not see quakes above 5 that would cause serious concern. We are monitoring the situation and expect everything to be fine.”
Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its centuries-old monasteries, lies in a seismically active region where moderate quakes are not uncommon.
