Professor of Geophysics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Kostas Papazachos, spoke of aftershocks of around 2.5 on the Richter scale, referring to the seismic tremor recorded today near Kalamata, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused particular concern among residents of the Messenia region. However, the professor, reassuring the public, emphasized that such earthquakes are “quite common in Greece and by themselves mean nothing”. It should be noted that, according to initial estimates by seismologists, the epicenter was located at a focal depth of 23 kilometers.
Read: Messenia: 4.7 Richter earthquake in Messini, felt in Kalamata and Pyrgos
Specifically, Mr. Papazachos stated on an “ERTNews” program that the earthquake occurred “10 km southwest of Megalopoli”, with aftershocks of 2.5 on the Richter scale having already appeared, while more are expected to be recorded in the coming period. “It is not on the fault from the 1986 earthquake in Kalamata”, emphasized the Geophysics professor, noting that the phenomenon occurred in an area with moderate seismic activity.
Papazachos: “Isolated and quite common earthquakes of this type in Greece”
According to him, this seismic activity should not cause any concern, as such phenomena are quite frequent in the country and usually isolated. “Such earthquakes are generally isolated and quite common in Greece and by themselves mean nothing. In the coming hours and days there will logically be aftershocks that could reach 4 on the Richter scale, without causing concern”, he said characteristically. However, when asked if this was the main earthquake, he was cautious: “It’s still too early to know, as the faults in this particular area can easily produce earthquakes of 6 on the Richter scale”.
It should be noted that the professor advised citizens to follow basic safety measures to minimize risk in case of aftershocks. “Residents in the area should take the basic precautionary measures we take when we have a sequence in progress, that is, compared to objects that are unstable, habitation of buildings that have problems, etc.”, he noted.
Kalamata earthquake: No damage recorded so far
Meanwhile, President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, Efthymios Lekkas, said: “The event is within the framework of normal seismic activity in the area. The characteristics of the earthquake do not inspire particular concern and the aftershock activity does not worry us so far. The development of the phenomenon is being monitored”.
Up to this point, no damage has been recorded from the seismic tremor that occurred near Kalamata. Fire Service forces were mobilized preventively, conducting checks in settlements and areas around the epicenter, aiming to assess any potential impacts. In related communication between ERT Kalamata and the mayor of Messini, he reported that “there is no report so far of problems in the villages around the earthquake epicenter”.
