2018 Ionian Sea earthquake

2018 Ionian Sea earthquake
UTC time	2018-10-25 22:54:51
ISC event	613514189
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	October 26, 2018
Local time	01:54:51 EEST
Magnitude	6.8 Mw
Depth	14 km (8.7 mi)
Epicenter	37°30′22″N 20°33′47″E / 37.506°N 20.563°E
Max. intensity	MMI VII (Very strong)
Tsunami	~20 cm
Aftershocks	172 M 4.0+ (As of November 15, 2018)
Casualties	3 injured

A strong earthquake measuring magnitude M_w 6.8 occurred in the Ionian Sea near the coasts of Greece during the night between 25 and 26 October 2018 at 22:54:51 UTC (01:54:51 in Greece).^[2] Sea level changes were predicted,^[3] and a tsunami advisory was issued.^[4] Reports of sea level change of up to 20 centimeters were reported in Greece and Italy.^[5]

The epicenter was located about 133 km from Patras. The earthquake occurred 14 km below the surface.^[5] Power outages were reported on the island of Zakynthos, and a 15th-century monastery was also damaged on the islands of Strofades.^[6]^[5] The port of Zakynthos also sustained major damage, and a state of emergency was declared in the municipality.^[7] Services around Zakynthos were affected, and schools were closed on October 26.^[8] Tax relief was also extended into January in order to support the local tourism industry.^[9]

Other structures were damaged, but despite the magnitude of the event, there were no reported serious injuries or casualties.^[10] About 120 homes were left uninhabitable, and the town laterally shifted 5 centimeters as a result of the earthquake.^[11] A strict building code was cited as a possible reason for the limited amount of damage, as Zakynthos suffered major damage from a 1953 earthquake.^[8]^[5]

The event was felt in eight countries, including in the Balkans, Italy, Malta as well as coasts of Africa and Turkey.^[12]^[13]

The main shock was followed by multiple aftershocks in the following days, including undersea aftershocks of magnitude 4.4 and 5 over a week after the initial earthquake.^[14] The largest reported aftershock was of magnitude 5.6 the day of the initial earthquake.^[15]