The administrator of Mount Athos, Alkiviadis Stefanis, strikes a reassuring tone following seismologists’ assessments regarding the intense seismic activity in the region where a 5.0 Richter scale earthquake struck the Athos peninsula on Wednesday evening, followed by smaller tremors of around 3.0 and 2.0 magnitude. As Mr. Stefanis emphasized to parapolitika.gr, “there is no reason for concern” as this involves “an old fault that has been activated.” While the phenomenon is being monitored, it should be noted that in June of the previous year, a stronger earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in the area.
According to Mr. Stefanis, the damage is minor with small cracks observed in buildings. He spoke about the aftershocks of 3.0 and 2.0 magnitude, saying there were quite a few. “We are accustomed to these tremor phenomena,” he noted when asked whether serious concern had been caused in the area. When the 5.0 magnitude tremor occurred, events were taking place, but because clergy were in ground-floor sections of buildings, they did not perceive the earthquake’s magnitude.
Mount Athos earthquakes: Assessments of the 5.0 tremor
It should be noted that the tremor was felt in several areas of northern Greece, including Thessaloniki, Serres, and Xanthi. A few minutes later, two aftershocks of 3.3 and 2.8 on the Richter scale were recorded off Halkidiki, 7 kilometers west of Karyes on Mount Athos, with a focal depth of 5 kilometers.
As Mr. Stefanis emphasized, the earthquake was accompanied by a loud rumble and lasted around 5 seconds, while regarding damage he stressed that “a chandelier fell in the center of Karyes,” noting that “no damage in a place that has existed for over 1,000 years can be considered ordinary.”
According to assessments so far, seismic activity in the Mount Athos area does not inspire serious concern, however experts insist that the first 48 hours are considered critical for the development of the seismic sequence.
Minor damage was recorded in monasteries, such as at Zographou Monastery, Docheiariou, and Vatopedi, mainly cracks in plaster, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.
Efthymios Lekkas: Extended seismic activity a scientific puzzle
The president of OASP, Efthymios Lekkas, also appears reassuring when speaking to parapolitika.gr regarding the continuing seismic activity in the broader Mount Athos area.
“There may be earthquakes of smaller magnitude or the same, but they don’t concern us at all,” Mr. Lekkas stated characteristically.
Referring to the duration of the phenomenon, he clarified: “It was 4.9 Richter. It was a continuation of earthquakes that began manifesting two years ago. The largest occurred last July, 5.3 Richter. Since then the earthquakes have been smaller.”
“Despite the fact that the earthquake was felt over a wider area, it did not cause damage. Only minimal damage to old buildings on Mount Athos, some cracks and others from the old 5.3 magnitude earthquake,” Mr. Lekkas added.
“I don’t consider there to be an issue. It’s a scientific puzzle why this activity continues for such a long period. People should not worry in any case, there is no cause for concern. The consideration is scientific, rather than a matter for worry,” Mr. Lekkas emphasized without showing concern about the phenomenon.
