Two earthquakes, measuring 3.7 and 4.6 on the Richter scale, shook Mount Athos on Friday morning Dec. 13. The quakes also shook areas in Northern Greece.
According to Greece’s Geodynamic Institute, the epicenter of the earthquakes was located 8 kilometers southeast of Karyes, the administrative center of Mount Athos, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.
As reported the tremors were felt in many areas of Northern Greece. Smaller aftershocks followed in the same region, measuring 2.4, 1.8, 3.1, and 1.6 on the Richter scale.
The president of the Greek Organization of Seismic Planning and Protection, Efthymios Lekkas, stated that earthquakes all occurred in the same area where similar events had taken place in previous months.
Lekkas mentioned that “seismic activity is returning to the area,” however, he reassured that there was no reason for concern at present.
According to the president, this seismic activity involves an underwater cluster of faults in the area that generates earthquakes, but it is not large enough to cause stronger tremors.
The rapid succession of three seismic tremors within just 30 minutes understandably unsettled local residents.
In response to the heightened seismic activity, authorities in the Municipality of Aristotelis in the Halkidiki, announced the suspension of all school operations across all education levels for Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
School principals have been instructed to coordinate the safe dismissal of students and organize transportation arrangements to ensure their orderly departure.
