Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Greece
Greece has catalogued 4,616 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 15th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.7.
Greece ranks 15th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 220 M4+ events a year alongside 132 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1904 to 2025, peaking in 1915.
- 4,616
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 132
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.7
- Strongest
- ~220
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Greece is among the more seismically active places worldwide, with 4,616 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 132 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.7.
- 1915
- busiest year (6 major events)
- 23 km
- average recorded event depth
- 94%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.4 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Peru sits immediately above at 4,621 events and Fiji sits immediately below at 4,530.
ComCat country tape
Event tape GREECE · Greece M4+ · 15th/187
Greece · 4,616 M4+ · max M7.7 · 132 M6+
- VS-PEER 4,616
- COMCAT 15th/187
- TAPE M7.7
- EPIC 132
- YOY near Peru
- BAND 94% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Greece
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 96 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 6.5. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 96
- Average observed MMI
- 6.5
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 19 / 0
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Greece sits in the catalog
Rank 15th of 187 tracked countries (92th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Peru sits immediately above at 4,621 events and Fiji sits immediately below at 4,530.
Greece's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
4,616 Top 8% higher than 92% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Greece by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2008
2008: 6 major (M6+) events
6
- 2009 1
2009: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2011 1
2011: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2013
2013: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2014
2014: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2015 2
2015: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2017 2
2017: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2018 1
2018: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2019 1
2019: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2020 2
2020: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2021
2021: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2025 2
2025: 2 major (M6+) events
2
What this shows Greece's most active year for major earthquakes was 1915 (6 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
28 of 4,616 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 132 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Greece.
M7.0-7.9
6
4.5%
M6.0-6.9
126
95.5%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 132 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 23 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
124
93.9% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
8
6.1% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Greece
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | 19 km SSE of Amorgós, Greece | 20.0 km | Jul 9, 1956 |
| 7.3 | 15 km NNW of Karpathos, Greece | 15.0 km | Feb 9, 1948 |
| 7.3 | 4 km WNW of Koróni, Greece | 15.0 km | Oct 6, 1947 |
| 7.2 | 61 km W of Eresós, Greece | 10.0 km | Dec 19, 1981 |
| 7.0 | 13 km NNE of Néon Karlovásion, Greece | 21.0 km | Oct 30, 2020 |
| 7.0 | 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece | 14.3 km | Jan 17, 1983 |
| 7.0 | 5 km NNW of Kéfalos, Greece | 15.0 km | Jun 26, 1926 |
| 7.0 | 55 km S of Mýrina, Greece | 10.7 km | Feb 19, 1968 |
| 6.9 | 21 km SSW of Kamariótissa, Greece | 6.4 km | May 24, 2014 |
| 6.9 | 35 km S of Methóni, Greece | 29.0 km | Feb 14, 2008 |
Significant earthquake record (132 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Greece since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 | 66 km SE of Emporeío, Greece | 64.0 km | May 22, 2025 |
| 6.0 | 20 km SSE of Fry, Greece | 76.2 km | May 13, 2025 |
| 6.4 | 4 km SW of Palekastro, Greece | 20.0 km | Oct 12, 2021 |
| 6.0 | 6 km N of Thrapsanón, Greece | 6.0 km | Sep 27, 2021 |
| 6.3 | 9 km W of Týrnavos, Greece | 8.0 km | Mar 3, 2021 |
| 7.0 | 13 km NNE of Néon Karlovásion, Greece | 21.0 km | Oct 30, 2020 |
| 6.5 | 91 km S of Néa Anatolí, Greece | 10.0 km | May 2, 2020 |
| 6.0 | 45 km WNW of Kíssamos, Greece | 69.0 km | Nov 27, 2019 |
| 6.8 | 32 km SW of Lithakiá, Greece | 14.0 km | Oct 25, 2018 |
| 6.6 | 11 km ENE of Kos, Greece | 7.0 km | Jul 20, 2017 |
| 6.3 | 5 km S of Plomári, Greece | 12.0 km | Jun 12, 2017 |
| 6.5 | 19 km SSW of Lefkáda, Greece | 11.0 km | Nov 17, 2015 |
| 6.0 | 26 km SSW of Fry, Greece | 20.0 km | Apr 16, 2015 |
| 6.9 | 21 km SSW of Kamariótissa, Greece | 6.4 km | May 24, 2014 |
| 6.0 | 8 km NNW of Lixoúri, Greece | 5.0 km | Feb 3, 2014 |
| 6.1 | 1 km ENE of Lixoúri, Greece | 8.0 km | Jan 26, 2014 |
| 6.6 | 36 km W of Kíssamos, Greece | 40.0 km | Oct 12, 2013 |
| 6.0 | 73 km S of Pýrgos, Greece | 19.0 km | Jun 16, 2013 |
| 6.2 | 68 km S of Pýrgos, Greece | 10.0 km | Jun 15, 2013 |
| 6.0 | 42 km NW of Fry, Greece | 59.9 km | Apr 1, 2011 |
| 6.4 | 95 km S of Néa Anatolí, Greece | 19.0 km | Jul 1, 2009 |
| 6.4 | 35 km SSW of Lárdos, Greece | 52.0 km | Jul 15, 2008 |
| 6.4 | 15 km ESE of Várda, Greece | 16.0 km | Jun 8, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 58 km SSW of Koróni, Greece | 9.9 km | Feb 20, 2008 |
| 6.5 | 50 km S of Koróni, Greece | 28.0 km | Feb 14, 2008 |
| 6.9 | 35 km S of Methóni, Greece | 29.0 km | Feb 14, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 15 km WNW of Leonídio, Greece | 75.0 km | Jan 6, 2008 |
| 6.7 | 26 km NE of Kýthira, Greece | 66.0 km | Jan 8, 2006 |
| 6.1 | 74 km WSW of Kastrí, Greece | 24.5 km | Mar 17, 2004 |
| 6.3 | 8 km S of Kanaláki, Greece | 10.0 km | Aug 14, 2003 |
| 6.2 | 49 km NW of Fry, Greece | 88.0 km | Jan 22, 2002 |
| 6.5 | 32 km WNW of Skýros, Greece | 10.0 km | Jul 26, 2001 |
| 6.0 | 5 km WNW of Fylí, Greece | 10.0 km | Sep 7, 1999 |
| 6.6 | 22 km SW of Lithakiá, Greece | 33.0 km | Nov 18, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 36 km SSW of Eresós, Greece | 17.9 km | Nov 14, 1997 |
| 6.4 | 47 km SSE of Koróni, Greece | 24.0 km | Oct 13, 1997 |
| 6.2 | Dodecanese Islands, Greece | 33.0 km | Jul 20, 1996 |
| 6.5 | 8 km WNW of Galaxídhion, Greece | 14.2 km | Jun 15, 1995 |
| 6.6 | 10 km W of Aianí, Greece | 14.0 km | May 13, 1995 |
| 6.1 | 15 km NNE of Pánormos, Greece | 76.0 km | May 23, 1994 |
| 6.1 | 14 km WNW of Gouménissa, Greece | 13.3 km | Dec 21, 1990 |
| 6.0 | 1 km ENE of Paralía Vérgas, Greece | 11.2 km | Sep 13, 1986 |
| 6.2 | 40 km WSW of Kíssamos, Greece | 39.1 km | Jun 21, 1984 |
| 6.1 | 37 km NNE of Psará, Greece | 22.5 km | Jun 17, 1984 |
| 6.8 | 39 km NW of Mýrina, Greece | 2.4 km | Aug 6, 1983 |
| 6.4 | 18 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece | 19.1 km | Mar 23, 1983 |
| 7.0 | 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece | 14.3 km | Jan 17, 1983 |
| 6.8 | 28 km SSE of Karyes, Greece | 10.0 km | Jan 18, 1982 |
| 6.5 | 29 km E of Skýros, Greece | 13.3 km | Dec 27, 1981 |
| 7.2 | 61 km W of Eresós, Greece | 10.0 km | Dec 19, 1981 |
| 6.4 | 3 km WSW of Erythrés, Greece | 28.5 km | Mar 4, 1981 |
| 6.4 | 13 km SSW of Kaparéllion, Greece | 33.0 km | Feb 25, 1981 |
| 6.7 | 5 km SW of Domvraína, Greece | 33.0 km | Feb 24, 1981 |
| 6.3 | 14 km SE of Vamvakoú, Greece | 20.0 km | Jul 9, 1980 |
| 6.4 | 6 km S of Áno Lekhónia, Greece | 14.0 km | Jul 9, 1980 |
| 6.4 | 8 km ESE of Kolchikón, Greece | 3.0 km | Jun 20, 1978 |
| 6.0 | 62 km WSW of Palaióchora, Greece | 33.0 km | Sep 11, 1977 |
| 6.4 | 45 km WSW of Lithakiá, Greece | 33.0 km | May 11, 1976 |
| 6.2 | 16 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece | 16.5 km | Sep 17, 1972 |
| 6.1 | 16 km SW of Xylókastro, Greece | 81.5 km | Sep 13, 1972 |
| 6.2 | 16 km WSW of Palaióchora, Greece | 36.2 km | May 4, 1972 |
| 6.3 | 4 km SSE of Antikyra, Greece | 13.0 km | Apr 8, 1970 |
| 6.1 | 19 km WSW of Mandráki, Greece | 18.5 km | Dec 5, 1968 |
| 7.0 | 55 km S of Mýrina, Greece | 10.7 km | Feb 19, 1968 |
| 6.6 | 22 km NNE of Skýros, Greece | 10.0 km | Mar 4, 1967 |
| 6.2 | 14 km NE of Kerasochóri, Greece | 10.0 km | Feb 5, 1966 |
| 6.1 | 8 km SSW of Aráchova, Greece | 24.1 km | Jul 6, 1965 |
| 6.0 | 22 km SE of Chóra Sfakíon, Greece | 53.3 km | Apr 9, 1965 |
| 6.1 | 19 km SW of Dimitsána, Greece | 16.4 km | Apr 5, 1965 |
| 6.8 | 6 km SW of Galaxídhion, Greece | 60.7 km | Mar 31, 1965 |
| 6.0 | 6 km NNW of Patitírion, Greece | 20.0 km | Mar 9, 1965 |
| 6.2 | 2 km WSW of Fylí, Greece | 152.7 km | Jul 17, 1964 |
| 6.1 | 5 km WNW of Agía Galíni, Greece | 35.0 km | May 14, 1959 |
| 6.3 | 29 km SSW of Lithakiá, Greece | 15.0 km | Aug 27, 1958 |
| 6.4 | 15 km ESE of Fársala, Greece | 10.0 km | Mar 8, 1957 |
| 6.0 | 76 km S of Methóni, Greece | 15.0 km | Feb 19, 1957 |
| 6.1 | 63 km N of Sitia, Greece | 15.0 km | Jul 30, 1956 |
| 7.7 | 19 km SSE of Amorgós, Greece | 20.0 km | Jul 9, 1956 |
| 6.2 | 4 km NNE of Káto Lekhónia, Greece | 15.0 km | Apr 19, 1955 |
| 6.0 | 32 km SE of Karyes, Greece | 15.0 km | Aug 3, 1954 |
| 6.7 | 7 km NE of Anávra, Greece | 10.0 km | Apr 30, 1954 |
| 6.2 | 8 km SSE of Valsamáta, Greece | 15.0 km | Oct 21, 1953 |
| 6.2 | 10 km NE of Katastárion, Greece | 15.0 km | Aug 12, 1953 |
| 6.8 | 15 km ENE of Póros, Greece | 10.0 km | Aug 12, 1953 |
| 6.5 | 13 km ESE of Itháki, Greece | 10.0 km | Aug 11, 1953 |
| 6.3 | 8 km NE of Póros, Greece | 15.0 km | Aug 9, 1953 |
| 6.5 | 46 km SSE of Kastrí, Greece | 25.0 km | Dec 17, 1952 |
| 6.4 | 39 km SSW of Tympáki, Greece | 15.0 km | Jul 24, 1948 |
| 6.4 | 19 km WNW of Préveza, Greece | 15.0 km | Jun 30, 1948 |
| 6.6 | 35 km NW of Itháki, Greece | 15.0 km | Apr 22, 1948 |
| 7.3 | 15 km NNW of Karpathos, Greece | 15.0 km | Feb 9, 1948 |
| 7.3 | 4 km WNW of Koróni, Greece | 15.0 km | Oct 6, 1947 |
| 6.3 | 29 km SW of Kíssamos, Greece | 15.0 km | Aug 30, 1947 |
| 6.2 | 14 km W of Rizómylos, Greece | 15.0 km | Mar 1, 1941 |
| 6.2 | 16 km S of Néa Anatolí, Greece | 15.0 km | Feb 29, 1940 |
| 6.0 | 14 km WSW of Xylókastro, Greece | 10.0 km | Sep 18, 1938 |
| 6.1 | 8 km NW of Fylí, Greece | 15.0 km | Jul 20, 1938 |
| 6.2 | 66 km SSW of Folégandros, Greece | 70.0 km | Feb 25, 1935 |
| 6.3 | 9 km SE of Néa Apollonía, Greece | 10.0 km | May 11, 1933 |
| 6.4 | 14 km E of Kardámaina, Greece | 15.0 km | Apr 23, 1933 |
Showing the first 100 of 132 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Greece-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Greece-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.