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Heightened seismic activity in Greece

09 November 2014 / 18:11:01  GRReporter
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A strong tremor measuring 5 on the Richter scale was felt early this morning at 01:15 h, from an epicentre in the sea near Kefallonia, 8 km south of Argostoli and 293 km from Athens. Scientists believe this was a belated after-shock of the main earthquake in January.

According to the Geodynamics Institute in Athens, the tremor was felt across the island and also around it. On Mega TV, prof. Efthimios Lekas said that the quake had the same focus as the earlier quake on Friday. He located the quake’s epicentre "in the southern part of the rupture, which caused an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale back in January." According to the professor, however, seismic activity is gradually shifting further into the sea and away from the island.

At 9:41 on Friday, the same focus triggered a tremor on Kefallonia measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale. A few minutes later, at 9:53, an after-shock followed of 3.6 Richter. Their epicentre was out in the sea, 9 km south of Argostoli.

Another quake with a magnitude of 4.8 Richter caused anxiety on Friday, at 19:12 h, 5 km northeast of Aigio in the Corinthian Gulf.

The quake was felt in Aigio, Patras, Nafpaktos and other districts of Achaea, Aetolia-Acarnania, Corinthia and Phocis. Locals say the tremor was accompanied by loud noises.

According to the fire service, there is damage to the walls of the Metropolitan Church Panagia Faneromeni in Aigio and to a tenement building; an abandoned house in Temeni was destroyed.

The Chief Secretary  of the local administration Georgios Didaskalos went to Aigio, and said that immediately after the earthquake Civil Defence crews came to the town to conduct inspections of buildings. The City Hall has opened a telephone line whereby one can request a check of one’s home. officers from Attica and Patras have joined forces with the local fire service.

 

"There is seismic activity, but it is too early to draw conclusions, so we are observing the phenomenon", researcher Christos Evangelidis told the Athens News Agency.

Meanwhile, two days after the quake inspections continue of buildings in Aigio and the wider municipality to describe the damage inflicted by the quake.

According to Thanasis Panagopoulos, mayor of Aegiali, damage has so far been registered on 11 buildings, with walls rather than bearing structures being affected. Similar damage has been inflicted on two industrial buildings and a factory. According to the mayor, the infrastructure in the area is intact. Panagopoulos also said that six teams of engineers are inspecting schools, kindergartens and public buildings for damage. He maintained that city life is continuing at its normal pace.

More than 100 requests for building inspections have been filed with the city hall.

As far as the tremors are concerned, Panagopoulos emphasised that seismic activity has been progressing within expectations, as prof. Efthimios Lekas informed him.

Tags: earthquake Kefalonia Aigio seismic activity
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