Zakynthos Informer Zakynthos Informer
Related Articles
An earthquake of 5.1 Richter struck at 14.13p.m 23 kilometres northwest of Athens, 4 kilometres north of Magoula.
The earthquake’s intensity was felt in areas all over Athens and as far as Evia. The reason as to why it was so intense, is that the epicentre was only 13 km deep, hence people being able to feel it in other areas of Attiki. The intensity naturally caused alarm among people within the Capital and most had run out into the open air for safety reasons.
The fault known as Parnitho, is well known to seismologists as part of the fault had broken away in the year 1999. A small part of the fault that was left was known to break away, however the scientists were not sure as to when. They did not have any indications as whether the fault would give way recently but the area has been active for some time.
There have been no reports at this stage of any serious injuries nor has there been any reports of major damage to buildings, monuments and other. A few old buildings have had some damage to them thus the civil protection authorities are checking areas that have had some damage for precautionary measures only.
Authorities have asked for people to stay calm and although all is operating as normal, they have asked people to be aware and take into action the measures that are needed for earthquakes. Power in some areas has been cut and has caused problems with people trapped in lifts. The fire department is servicing those areas at the moment and are trying to help those entrapped.
Seismologists, although they are waiting for the normal 48 hours to pass to get an exact reading of the phenomena and how it is developing, have also given an estimate that this was the main earthquake as a number of aftershocks have developed after the 5.1Richter. They also state that there could be some strong aftershocks not only within the 48 hours but it could die off, so to speak and then give an aftershock of an intensity 4 or 4.5. Scientists are not concerned that this particular fault will cause any serious problems as generally speaking our buildings are anti-earthquake and citizens are aware of measures that should be taken. Authorities are also on alert for any problems that may appear during the 48 hour period.
