Earthquake!! Thought I'd read up on it and found this "interesting" information .
Strong earthquake out of the Crete coast (Greece)
The epicenter of the earthquake was located on top of the subduction slopes, at a harmless distance from the main island Crete (40 km) but very close to the southern shores of Gavdos, an island to the south of Crete. Gavdos has a population of 98. Gavdos is the southernmost point of Europe and and important island for migrating birds.
The subduction area to the south of Greece has regular earthquakes, but strong ones like today, almost below the island, are not so frequent.
Update 09:12 UTC : The mayor of Gavdis, Mr. Stratis Lampakis, said that NO damage has been sustained from this earthquake. The epicenter was only 11 km from the island
Update, to be read as “interesting to know” : The Greece government has given an order to a Norvegian company to make “seismic surveys” in between Crete and Gavdos. reason of the survey is mapping the Natural gas and Oil reserves and handing them over to oil drilling companies. Environmental people are opposing the survey and eventual drilling as the area is very sensitive and as a minor accident could lead to a enormous damage to the ecosystem and the enclosed Mediterranean Sea. The area is also very “earthquake active” which is another reason to be worried. To be continued …
