Shallow M5.8 Earthquake hit in the Mediterranean Sea near Irákleion (Greece) on Friday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 24th, 2026.

A shallow and significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck in the Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Basin 76 kilometer from Irákleion, Greece in the early morning of Friday April 24th, 2026. Around 670 thousand people have been exposed to shaking. Türkiye is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Basin, right off the coast of Greece (6 mi offshore), 76 kilometer south-east of Irákleion in Crete. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 13 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Apr 24, 2026 06:18 (Athens Time) - Apr 24, 2026 03:18 Universal Time.
Location:	76 km SE of Irákleion, Crete, Greece. Coordinates 34°56'4"N 25°49'39"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 49 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.044 .
Depth:	13 km (8 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 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 670 thousand people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 670 thousand people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 17,990 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 330 thousand) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Greece , around 660 thousand people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Türkiye too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Greece and Türkiye are both within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Libya and Egypt.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Irákleion in Crete, Greece. Irákleion is located 76 kilometer (47 mi) south-east of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Irákleion is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Irákleion is located 76 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Athens is located 388 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Karabağlar is located 400 km to the north (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 VI. 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 34 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 34 people have reported shaking in 17 places in 2 countries (Greece, Egypt).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Aghios Nikolaos, Nisia Aigaiou Kriti, Greece: 7 people.
• Iráklion, Iráklion, Greece: 5 people.
• Goúrnai, Iráklion, Greece: 3 people.
• Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt: 2 people.
• Limín Khersonísou, Iráklion, Greece: 2 people.
• Ierápetra, Lasíthi, Greece: 2 people.
• Palaíkastron, Lasíthi, Greece: 2 people.
• Sitía, Lasíthi, Greece: 2 people.
• Anissarás, Iráklion, Greece: 1 person.
• Vríses, Haniá, Greece: 1 person.

53 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 53 smaller aftershocks. A 5 magnitude earthquake hit 6 hrs later 28 km (18 mi) east of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 10 smaller foreshocks were detected. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 3 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since June 2nd, 2025, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 292 km (181 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on July 20th, 2017.

In total, 11 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 year.

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 24/04/26 12:58 (). 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 us6000sshc
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260424_0000044
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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