Written by on . Last updated November 19th, 2024.

A shallow and significant M5.2 earthquake struck in the Aegean Sea 66 kilometer from Thessaloníki, Greece in the evening of Sunday November 3rd, 2024. North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Türkiye and Serbia are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Aegean Sea, right off the coast of Greece (5 mi offshore), 66 kilometer south-southeast of Thessaloníki in Central Macedonia. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 9 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time: Nov 3, 2024 19:03 (Athens Time)
- Nov 3, 2024 17:03 Universal Time.
Location: 66 km SSE of Thessaloníki, Central Macedonia, Greece.
Coordinates 40°5'52"N 23°14'52"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 5.2
Detected by 52 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.043 .
Depth: 9 km (6 mi)
A very shallow depth.
Tsunami Risk: Low tsunami risk
Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's.
Always stay cautious - More info here.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Greece , North Macedonia , Bulgaria , Albania , Türkiye and Serbia are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Peraía in Central Macedonia, Greece. Peraía is located 52 kilometer (32 mi) south-southeast of the epicenter.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Thessaloníki is located 66 km to the north-northwest. Sofia is located 289 km to the north. Athens is located 239 km to the south.

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below.

Overview of nearby places

Distance Place
52 km (32 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Peraía

Central Macedonia, Greece.
57 km (35 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Panórama

Central Macedonia, Greece.
59 km (37 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Kalamariá

Central Macedonia, Greece.
60 km (37 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Pylaía

Central Macedonia, Greece.
66 km (41 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Thessaloníki

Central Macedonia, Greece.
66 km (41 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Kateríni

Central Macedonia, Greece.
66 km (41 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Sykiés

Central Macedonia, Greece.
67 km (42 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Neapoli

Central Macedonia, Greece.
68 km (42 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Políchni

Central Macedonia, Greece.
69 km (43 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Meneméni

Central Macedonia, Greece.
76 km (47 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Oraiókastro

Central Macedonia, Greece.
84 km (52 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Néa Ionía

Thessaly, Greece.
86 km (53 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Volos

Thessaly, Greece.
87 km (54 mi)
SW from epicenter
Lárisa

Thessaly, Greece.
101 km (63 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Véroia

Central Macedonia, Greece.
104 km (65 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Kilkís

Central Macedonia, Greece.
105 km (65 mi)
NW from epicenter
Giannitsá

Central Macedonia, Greece.
113 km (70 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Sérres

Central Macedonia, Greece.
116 km (72 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Náousa

Central Macedonia, Greece.
126 km (78 mi)
W from epicenter
Kozáni

West Macedonia, Greece.
128 km (80 mi)
NW from epicenter
Édessa

Central Macedonia, Greece.
132 km (82 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Gevgelija

Gevgelija, North Macedonia.
135 km (84 mi)
NE from epicenter
Kavála

East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece.
140 km (87 mi)
SW from epicenter
Kardítsa

Thessaly, Greece.
140 km (87 mi)
WSW from epicenter
Tríkala

Thessaly, Greece.
140 km (87 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Dráma

East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece.
141 km (88 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Ptolemaḯda

West Macedonia, Greece.
145 km (90 mi)
N from epicenter
Petrich

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
150 km (93 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Lamía

Central Greece, Greece.
157 km (98 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Strumica

Strumica, North Macedonia.
163 km (101 mi)
N from epicenter
Sandanski

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
168 km (104 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Gotse Delchev

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
180 km (112 mi)
NE from epicenter
Xánthi

East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece.
181 km (112 mi)
NW from epicenter
Kavadarci

Kavadarci, North Macedonia.
182 km (113 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Negotino

Negotino, North Macedonia.
184 km (114 mi)
S from epicenter
Chalkída

Central Greece, Greece.
184 km (114 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Radovis

Radovish, North Macedonia.
192 km (119 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Bitola

Bitola, North Macedonia.
197 km (122 mi)
S from epicenter
Thívai

Central Greece, Greece.
199 km (124 mi)
NW from epicenter
Prilep

Prilep, North Macedonia.
203 km (126 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Shtip

Shtip, North Macedonia.
205 km (127 mi)
NE from epicenter
Smolyan

Smolyan, Bulgaria.
208 km (129 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Vinica

Vinica, North Macedonia.
210 km (130 mi)
WSW from epicenter
Ioánnina

Epirus, Greece.
212 km (132 mi)
N from epicenter
Delcevo

Delchevo, North Macedonia.
214 km (133 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Kochani

Kochani, North Macedonia.
214 km (133 mi)
N from epicenter
Blagoevgrad

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
217 km (135 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Korçë

Korçë, Albania.
218 km (135 mi)
NW from epicenter
Veles

Veles, North Macedonia.
219 km (136 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Resen

Resen, North Macedonia.
228 km (142 mi)
S from epicenter
Acharnés

Attica, Greece.
233 km (145 mi)
S from epicenter
Ílion

Attica, Greece.
235 km (146 mi)
S from epicenter
Peristéri

Attica, Greece.
236 km (147 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Ohrid

Ohrid, North Macedonia.
239 km (149 mi)
S from epicenter
Athens

Attica, Greece.
240 km (149 mi)
S from epicenter
Níkaia

Attica, Greece.
241 km (150 mi)
S from epicenter
Kórinthos

Peloponnese, Greece.
242 km (150 mi)
S from epicenter
Piraeus

Attica, Greece.
242 km (150 mi)
S from epicenter
Kallithéa

Attica, Greece.
244 km (152 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Pátra

West Greece, Greece.
246 km (153 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Kriva Palanka

Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia.
247 km (153 mi)
N from epicenter
Kyustendil

Kyustendil, Bulgaria.
248 km (154 mi)
NE from epicenter
Kardzhali

Kardzhali, Bulgaria.
248 km (154 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Struga

Struga, North Macedonia.
249 km (155 mi)
NW from epicenter
Studeničani

Studeničani, North Macedonia.
249 km (155 mi)
NW from epicenter
Kičevo

Kichevo, North Macedonia.
250 km (155 mi)
N from epicenter
Samokov

Sofia, Bulgaria.
251 km (156 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Pazardzhik

Pazardzhik, Bulgaria.
253 km (157 mi)
NW from epicenter
Ilinden

Ilinden, North Macedonia.
260 km (162 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Kumanovo

Kumanovo, North Macedonia.
260 km (162 mi)
NW from epicenter
Skopje

Grad Skopje, North Macedonia.
261 km (162 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Plovdiv

Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
264 km (164 mi)
W from epicenter
Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër, Albania.
268 km (167 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Lipkovo

Lipkovo, North Macedonia.
269 km (167 mi)
E from epicenter
Çanakkale

Canakkale, Türkiye.
273 km (170 mi)
NW from epicenter
Centar Župa

Centar Zhupa, North Macedonia.
273 km (170 mi)
NW from epicenter
Gostivar

Gostivar, North Macedonia.
277 km (172 mi)
W from epicenter
Sarandë

Vlorë, Albania.
278 km (173 mi)
NW from epicenter
Zelino

Zhelino, North Macedonia.
279 km (173 mi)
NW from epicenter
Debar

Debar, North Macedonia.
279 km (173 mi)
N from epicenter
Pernik

Pernik, Bulgaria.
280 km (174 mi)
NW from epicenter
Negotino

Vrapchishte, North Macedonia.
281 km (175 mi)
NE from epicenter
Haskovo

Haskovo, Bulgaria.
282 km (175 mi)
NW from epicenter
Brvenica

Bervenices, North Macedonia.
283 km (176 mi)
NW from epicenter
Kamenjane

Bogovinje, North Macedonia.
286 km (178 mi)
NW from epicenter
Tetovo

Tetovo, North Macedonia.
287 km (178 mi)
NW from epicenter
Tearce

Tearce, North Macedonia.
287 km (178 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Berat

Berat, Albania.
289 km (180 mi)
W from epicenter
Corfu

Ionian Islands, Greece.
289 km (180 mi)
N from epicenter
Sofia

Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria.
290 km (180 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Elbasan

Elbasan, Albania.
292 km (181 mi)
NE from epicenter
Chirpan

Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
293 km (182 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Vitina

Gjilan District, Kosovo.
295 km (183 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Vranje

Central Serbia, Serbia.
298 km (185 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Keşan

Edirne, Türkiye.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

Shaking reported by 76 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 76 people have reported shaking in 38 places in 4 countries (Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

  • Triandría, Thessaloníki, Greece: 9 people.
  • Thessaloníki, Thessaloníki, Greece: 9 people.
  • Peraía, Thessaloníki, Greece: 4 people.
  • Panórama, Thessaloníki, Greece: 3 people.
  • Áyios Paúlos, Voria Ellada, Greece: 3 people.
  • Kalamariá, Thessaloníki, Greece: 3 people.
  • Sofia, Sofija grad, Bulgaria: 3 people.
  • Pilaía, Thessaloníki, Greece: 3 people.
  • Néon Rísion, Thessaloníki, Greece: 3 people.
  • Kateríni, Piería, Greece: 2 people.

29 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 29 smaller aftershocks. A 3.8 magnitude earthquake hit 3 mins later 7 km (4 mi) north of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 2 smaller foreshocks were detected. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 3 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Foreshock M 4.0 3 days earlier
Nov 1, 2024 01:23 (Athens Time)
14 km (9 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 3.2 18 hrs earlier
Nov 3, 2024 01:10 (Athens Time)
5 km (3 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 5.2 Nov 3, 2024 19:03
(Athens Time)
-
Aftershock M 3.8 3 mins later
Nov 3, 2024 19:06 (Athens Time)
7 km (4 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.7 8 mins later
Nov 3, 2024 19:12 (Athens Time)
8 km (5 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.7 10 mins later
Nov 3, 2024 19:14 (Athens Time)
5 km (2.9 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 12 mins later
Nov 3, 2024 19:15 (Athens Time)
8 km (5 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.0 1 hr later
Nov 3, 2024 20:04 (Athens Time)
6 km (4 mi)
NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 1 hr later
Nov 3, 2024 20:07 (Athens Time)
4 km (2.2 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 1 hr later
Nov 3, 2024 20:21 (Athens Time)
5 km (3 mi)
NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.9 1 hr later
Nov 3, 2024 20:23 (Athens Time)
6 km (4 mi)
NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 1 hr later
Nov 3, 2024 20:30 (Athens Time)
6 km (4 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.9 3 hrs later
Nov 3, 2024 22:24 (Athens Time)
4 km (2.3 mi)
NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 5 hrs later
Nov 3, 2024 23:42 (Athens Time)
12 km (7 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 5 hrs later
Nov 3, 2024 23:46 (Athens Time)
8 km (5 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.8 5 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 00:25 (Athens Time)
2.5 km (1.6 mi)
NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.4 6 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 01:15 (Athens Time)
4 km (2.2 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 6 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 01:32 (Athens Time)
0.2 km (0.1 mi)
W from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.0 7 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 02:22 (Athens Time)
5 km (3 mi)
NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 11 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 06:06 (Athens Time)
77 km (48 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.7 11 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 06:09 (Athens Time)
3 km (2.1 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.9 12 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 07:18 (Athens Time)
3 km (1.9 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.1 13 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 08:21 (Athens Time)
1.9 km (1.2 mi)
NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.7 13 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 08:33 (Athens Time)
5 km (3 mi)
NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 19 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 13:47 (Athens Time)
2.4 km (1.5 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.2 21 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 16:11 (Athens Time)
6 km (4 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.6 24 hrs later
Nov 4, 2024 18:48 (Athens Time)
1.7 km (1.1 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 2 days later
Nov 5, 2024 09:56 (Athens Time)
4 km (2.4 mi)
NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 2 days later
Nov 5, 2024 11:53 (Athens Time)
5 km (3 mi)
N from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.1 2 days later
Nov 5, 2024 20:47 (Athens Time)
79 km (49 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.0 3 days later
Nov 6, 2024 16:50 (Athens Time)
6 km (4 mi)
E from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 2.5 3 days later
Nov 6, 2024 17:30 (Athens Time)
1.2 km (0.7 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since October 8th, 2022, when a 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit 204 km (127 mi) further south-southwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck on November 17th, 2015.

In total, 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.2 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 6 months.

Low tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor Under Sea? MAG-6.5 or stronger? Shallow depth?
Explanation Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami.
MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes.
MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. Not this earthquake.
This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 9 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 19/11/24 18:48 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000npqn
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241103_0000177
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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