A magnitude 6.4 earthquake off Crete was the largest in Greece since the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake, felt as far as Cairo and Istanbul.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 6.4 Mw
- Maximum intensity
- VIII (Severe) — Modified Mercalli Scale
- Date and time
- 12 October 2021, 12:24 UTC+3:30
- Location
- Off the island of Crete, Greece
- Felt as far as
- Cairo and Istanbul
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake occurred in a seismically active region off the island of Crete, approximately two weeks after the 2021 Arkalochori earthquake struck the same general area, indicating ongoing tectonic stress along faults near the eastern Mediterranean.
On 12 October 2021, a magnitude 6.4 Mw earthquake struck off the coast of Crete with a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The tremor became the largest earthquake recorded in Greece since the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake.
The quake was felt at low intensity as far as Cairo and Istanbul. Weak tremors were registered in Giza and Cairo, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1992 Cairo earthquake. No death toll is reported in the source, though the event caused notable regional concern given its scale.