Early morning on May 14, around 1:51 a.m. local time, a pretty strong earthquake hit near the island of Crete in Greece. Most people were sleeping when it happened, so it really caught them off guard. Some folks said they woke up thinking something had hit their house or that it was just a weird dream, but nope — it was the ground actually shaking. The quake’s center was near Kasos Island, just south of Crete, and it was deep underground — somewhere around 62 to 83 kilometers down. That depth helped reduce surface damage, thankfully, but it was still strong enough that people in other countries, like Israel and Egypt, felt it too. Not super intense over there, but enough to make people notice and talk about it.
Tsunami Alert and Quick Response
As soon as the earthquake hit, Greek authorities moved fast. They issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas — especially around places like Crete, Kos, and Rhodes. People were told to be alert and head to higher ground if needed. It was all just a precaution, but honestly, better safe than sorry. Luckily, no tsunami happened, and there weren’t any serious injuries or big destruction reported, at least in the first few hours. Emergency teams were out checking things anyway — looking over buildings, roads, and making sure people were safe. It helped that the quake happened offshore and deep underground. Those two things probably saved the area from something much worse.
Why This Region Feels So Many Quakes and What Locals Can Do
Crete sits in a pretty active earthquake zone — right where two major tectonic plates (the African and Eurasian) meet. That’s why the island and nearby areas feel tremors pretty often. Just earlier this year, there were over 7,000 small earthquakes recorded not too far from where this one hit. Most were tiny and didn’t cause problems, but they’re signs that the region is always shifting underground. For people living there, being prepared is key. It’s smart to have an emergency kit ready, know the fastest way to get to safety, and make sure your home is solid enough to handle a quake. Even though we can’t predict exactly when the next one will come, staying ready can really make a difference.
