Shallow M5.3 Earthquake struck on Saturday Afternoon in the Aegean Sea near Kavála (Greece).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on June 7th, 2025. Last updated June 20th, 2025.

In the afternoon of Saturday June 7th, 2025, a shallow and significant M5.3 earthquake hit in the Aegean Sea 78 kilometer from Kavála, Greece. Around 5.1 million people have been exposed to shaking. Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Türkiye 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 (1 mi offshore), 78 kilometer south-southwest of Kavála in East Macedonia and Thrace. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jun 7, 2025 15:46 (Athens Time) - Jun 7, 2025 12:46 Universal Time.
Location:	78 km SSW of Kavála, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Coordinates 40°15'28"N 24°9'56"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.3 Detected by 24 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.063 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 5.1 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 5.1 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 390 people were exposed to level VI. At this level, strong shaking and probably light damage can be expected. The majority of people (roughly 3.1 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 4 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 3.4 million people were exposed to shaking in Greece , with level VI (strong shaking, probably light damage) as the highest recorded. In Bulgaria , around 0.8 million people. In Türkiye , around 490 thousand people. Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of North Macedonia too.

Nearby towns and cities

Greece , Bulgaria , North Macedonia and Türkiye are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Albania.

Located 78 kilometer (48 mi) south-southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Kavála (East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) is the nearest significant population center. Kavála experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Major cities near this earthquake: Sofia is located 280 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Thessaloníki is located 113 km to the west-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Athens is located 256 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VII. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 53 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 53 people have reported shaking in 29 places in 2 countries (Bulgaria, Greece).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Karyai, Voria Ellada, Greece: 11 people.
• Kalívai Poliyírou, Halkidikí, Greece: 4 people.
• Potamiá, Kavála, Greece: 4 people.
• Néos Marmarás, Halkidikí, Greece: 3 people.
• Kavála, Kavála, Greece: 2 people.
• Thessaloníki, Thessaloníki, Greece: 2 people.
• Sofia, Sofija grad, Bulgaria: 2 people.
• Pilaía, Thessaloníki, Greece: 2 people.
• Néa Fókaia, Halkidikí, Greece: 2 people.
• Thásos, Kavála, Greece: 2 people.

21 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 21 smaller aftershocks occurred. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days later 6 km (4 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is the strongest earthquake in 3 years

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 253 km (157 mi) further south-southwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck on March 3rd, 2021.

In total, 16 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.3 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 8 months.

Low tsunami risk

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

Sources

Last updated 20/06/25 13:28 (). 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 us6000qiq1
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250607_0000121
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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