Crete, in the southern part of Greece, was the recent site of an earthquake that measured a magnitude of greater than six on the Richter scale, which uses seismic energy to determine the actual amplitude or motion of the ground.

There is some reported variation in the exact strength of the earthquake. According to the US Geological Survey, the specific magnitude was reported as being 6.4 while the Athens News Agency, which receives information from the Athens Observatory, reported a magnitude of 6.2.

According to Efthymios Lekkas, who is a geology professor, the fact that the earthquake happened is not entirely unexpected given the location in which the earthquake was reported.

“The quake took place in an area known for its seismic activity. It was strongly felt in Crete but also in the rest of Greece,” Efthymios Lekkas explained to Skai radio.

The Athens Geodynamic Institute has reported that the earthquake occurred at 4:12 p.m. 42 miles west of Chania, Crete, and 172 miles south from Athens. While the center of the quake came from 14 miles under sea, the impact was felt for quite a distance.

The Deputy Mayor for Chania, Manoussos Lionakis, recently spoke with The Associated Press.

“The earthquake was very strong and lasted long. Fortunately, there was no serious damage. The worst I’ve heard was some rock falls in a ravine west of the city. A bus was trapped, but no one was hurt. We have removed the debris. Right now we have employees inspecting the buildings in the old city, but, apart from some cracked marble facades here and there, we have found nothing,” Manoussos Lionakis said.

Greece has been subject to a history of earthquakes. The seabed near Ios Beach is cracked with deep crevices from the seismic activity that happens in the area.

[Image Via Wikimedia Commons And Courtesy Of Captain Blood]