Seismologists remain on alert following the evolution of earthquakes that have occurred since last Saturday night off Halkidiki, in the sea area of Mount Athos.
“Most likely, the main earthquake was that of 5.2 on the Richter scale. So far, it is not considered a disturbing situation but due to the history of the area we are not allowed to be completely reassuring. There is no evidence that something bad is coming, but caution is needed because of the history,” Seismologist Manolis Skordilis told Agency 104.9 Fm.
Skordilis also noted that the area of Mount Athos has given strong earthquakes in 1905 (7.5 magnitude), as well as in 1982 and 1983 (with magnitudes of 7 and 6.8, respectively).
“In 1905 we had a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook the region in 1982 and a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in 1983. All of them were at a distance of 25 to 45 km from the epicenter of the current earthquake. We are practically talking about the same tectonic formation and that is why we are cautious,” he added. From those strong earthquakes, there were damages to Mount Athos monasteries.
As for the possibility of other faults in the area of Mount Athos to be activated by the vibrations that currently took place, Skordilis described it as “completely unlikely, because the earthquake is relatively small and can not affect other areas.”
Seismologists will monitor the phenomenon for the next 24 hours and according to the professor, “earthquakes of magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale are expected to arrive with one or less units difference from its magnitude. In this context, an earthquake like the one in the morning with a magnitude of 4.8, although a little strong for an earthquake, is not something special that could cause concern.”
