Moderate magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 5 km depth21 Mar 05:53 UTC: First to report: UOA after 2 minutes.21 Mar 05:53: Now using data updates from EMSC... [show all] ...21 Mar 05:53: Magnitude recalculated from 4.1 to 4.5.21 Mar 05:54: Epicenter location corrected by 7.3 km (4.5 mi) towards E.21 Mar 05:55: Magnitude recalculated from 4.5 to 4.3.21 Mar 05:56: Magnitude recalculated from 4.3 to 4.2.21 Mar 05:58: Magnitude recalculated from 4.2 to 4.1.21 Mar 05:59: Magnitude recalculated from 4.1 to 4.5. Epicenter location corrected by 7.3 km (4.5 mi) towards W.21 Mar 06:01: Magnitude recalculated from 4.5 to 4.3. Epicenter location corrected by 7.3 km (4.5 mi) towards E.21 Mar 06:01: Magnitude recalculated from 4.3 to 4.2.I didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeMar 21, 2026 05:51:32 UTC - Local time at epicenterSaturday, Mar 21, 2026, at 07:51 am (GMT +2)StatusconfirmedMagnitude4.2Depth5 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude38.25°N / 20.42°EIonian Islands, GreeceSeismic antipode38.25°S / 159.58°WShaking intensityV Moderate shaking near epicenterFelt8 reportsPrimary data sourceEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)Nearest volcanoVolos-Atalanti (224 km / 139 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeBroken Clouds 12.7°C (55 F), humidity: 64%, wind: 4 m/s (8 kts) from SEEstimated seismic energy released1.3 x 1011 joules (35 megawatt hours, equivalent to 30.1 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.2 | about seismic energy11 minutes ago reported feltMar 21, 2026 05:51 GMT / Mar 21, 2026 07:51 am (GMT +2)Lat / Lng: 38.25 / 20.42: GreeceSource: EMSCOther sources: UOA: 4.1 / 10 km, AUTH: 4.0 / 5 km, 1 more...Detail info | Read user reports | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22828800',38.25000,20.42000,'11 minutes ago: Mag. 4.2, Greece',html,'quakes-6-24.png',25,25,12,12,125]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in CreteNearby placesThe closest larger town where the quake might have been felt is Preveza, a town with 17,000 inhabitants in Greece, in 84 km (52 mi) distance north of the epicenter. People likely experienced very weak shaking there. Many smaller towns and villages are located closer to the epicenter and might have experienced stronger shaking. In the capital of Greece, Athens, 291 km (181 mi) away from the epicenter, the earthquake could not be felt.The following table shows some of the places that might have been affected (or not) by the shaking.DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry1 km (1 mi)S of epicenterKouvalata(pop: 56)V: ModerateKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece10 km (6 mi)SE of epicenterArgostoli(pop: 9,820)IV: LightKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece20 km (12 mi)E of epicenterSami(pop: 1,350)IV: LightKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece23 km (14 mi)SE of epicenterVlachata(pop: 520)IV: LightKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece27 km (17 mi)NE of epicenterFiskardo(pop: 198)III: WeakKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece29 km (18 mi)NE of epicenterIthaki(pop: 1,840)III: WeakKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece32 km (20 mi)E of epicenterPoros(pop: 1,060)III: WeakKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece33 km (21 mi)SE of epicenterMavrata(pop: 109)III: WeakKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian IslandsGreece47 km (29 mi)SE of epicenterVolimes(pop: 406)III: WeakNomos Zakynthou, Ionian IslandsGreece49 km (30 mi)N of epicenterAgios Petros(pop: 422)III: WeakLefkada, Ionian IslandsGreece55 km (34 mi)SE of epicenterKatastarion(pop: 1,380)III: WeakNomos Zakynthou, Ionian IslandsGreece56 km (34 mi)NE of epicenterKastos(pop: 80)III: WeakLefkada, Ionian IslandsGreece57 km (36 mi)NE of epicenterNidhrion(pop: 971)III: WeakLefkada, Ionian IslandsGreece59 km (36 mi)N of epicenterKalamitsi(pop: 211)III: WeakLefkada, Ionian IslandsGreece66 km (41 mi)NE of epicenterAstakos(pop: 2,570)III: WeakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece67 km (42 mi)SE of epicenterZakynthos(pop: 11,500)III: WeakNomos Zakynthou, Ionian IslandsGreece68 km (42 mi)NE of epicenterKandila(pop: 1,250)III: WeakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece69 km (43 mi)N of epicenterLefkada(pop: 8,670)III: WeakIonian IslandsGreece72 km (45 mi)NE of epicenterPalairos(pop: 2,590)III: WeakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece72 km (45 mi)SE of epicenterKyllini(pop: 1,080)III: WeakIlia Prefecture, West GreeceGreece74 km (46 mi)SE of epicenterKeri(pop: 469)III: WeakNomos Zakynthou, Ionian IslandsGreece75 km (47 mi)E of epicenterKatochi(pop: 2,830)III: WeakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece75 km (47 mi)SE of epicenterArkoudi(pop: 1,310)III: WeakIlia Prefecture, West GreeceGreece83 km (52 mi)NE of epicenterThyrio(pop: 753)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece84 km (52 mi)N of epicenterPreveza(pop: 17,300)II: Very weakNomos Prevezis, EpirusGreece84 km (52 mi)NE of epicenterAngelokastro(pop: 1,220)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece84 km (52 mi)E of epicenterKourtesi(pop: 554)II: Very weakIlia Prefecture, West GreeceGreece84 km (52 mi)NE of epicenterVonitsa(pop: 4,700)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece85 km (53 mi)SE of epicenterGastouni(pop: 8,110)II: Very weakIlia Prefecture, West GreeceGreece91 km (57 mi)NE of epicenterLepenou(pop: 2,090)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece94 km (58 mi)NE of epicenterAmfilochia(pop: 4,020)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece98 km (61 mi)SE of epicenterDounaiika(pop: 653)II: Very weakIlia Prefecture, West GreeceGreece104 km (64 mi)NE of epicenterLoutro(pop: 1000)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece107 km (67 mi)NE of epicenterMalesiada(pop: 286)II: Very weakAitoloakarnania, West GreeceGreece291 km (181 mi)E of epicenterAthens(pop: 664,000)I: Not feltNomarchia Athinas, AtticaGreeceNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quake (8)So far, we have received 8 reports for this quake from Greece. The quake was reported to have been felt in up to approx. 300 km (186 mi) distance.Most reports came from Argostoli (3 reports), a town with 9,800 inhabitants in Ionian Islands in 9.8 km (6.1 mi) distance southeast of the epicenter, Greece, and Athens (2 reports) (291 km or 181 mi to the east), the capital of Greece with 660,000 inhabitants in Attica. Further below is a list of places where most people reported this quake.This section is being updated as new data comes in.User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.Contribute:Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.Flag as inappropriate.Mark as helpful or interesting.Send your own user report!TranslateKaravados (291.1 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Shook quite strong, items rattled but no damage | 4 users found this interesting. Pessada (16.9 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : On upper floor of villa, patio windows shook and bed vibrated as was in bedcat the time . Rumbling noise lasted about 2 to 3 secs 16.3 km ESE of epicenter [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Was louder than the one a few hours ago. Side to side shaking. 17 km SSE of epicenter [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 sTrapezaki Livathos Kefalonia greece (21.7 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s : Home sleeping. Woke me up Skala Kefalonia (9.6 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very shortArgostoli (10 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV)Monopolist, Kefalonia (290.9 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 sList of cities/places with most reportsPlaceDistance from epicenterAverage reported Shaking IntensityNr. of reportsArgostoli, Ionian Islands, Greece(Pop.: 9,820)9.8 km (6.1 mi)SE of epicenterIII: Weak shaking3Athens, Attica, Greece(Pop.: 664,046)291 km (181 mi)E of epicenterIII: Weak shaking2Note: Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (8 in total) could be used for statistics.What is Intensity and the Mercalli Intensity Scale?The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs.Read more about the MMI scale!Number of reports by intensityShaking intensityNumber of reportsMin-Max distance from epicenter (*)Average distance (*)II: Very weak shaking1291–291 km (181–181 mi)291 km (181 mi)III: Weak shaking39.7–17.1 km (6–10.6 mi)14.5 km (9 mi)IV: Light shaking29.9–16.3 km (6.2–10.1 mi)13.1 km (8 mi)V: Moderate shaking122–22 km (13.6–13.6 mi)22 km (14 mi)Notes(*) Reports are filtered to exclude those that are likely highly inaccurate or esaggerated.Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (8 in total) could be used for geographic statistics.Get the Android appI didn't feel itI felt this quakeIf you were near the epicenter and felt it, please share your experience and submit a short "I felt it" report! Other users would love to hear about it!If you did NOT feel the quake although you were in the area, please report it as well! Your contribution is valuable to earthquake science and seismic hazard analysis.Compare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.MagDepthTime GMT2026-03-21EpicenterAgency4.25 km3.1 mi05:51:32.41GREECEEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)4.110 km6.2 mi(*)05:51:33.1812.4 km WNW of Argostoli5.4 km (3.3 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCUOA (University of Athens - Seismological Laboratory)4.085 km3.1 mi05:51:33.99Cephalonia Isl. - W. Greece0.5 km (0.3 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCAUTH (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysical Lab.)4.347 km29 mi05:51:36Greece22 km (14 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCRaspberryShake (RaspberryShake)4.347 km29 mi05:51:36.87Greece22 km (14 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCGFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences)4.095 km3.1 mi05:51:32.539 Km NW from Lixouri5.2 km (3.2 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCNOA (National Observatory of Athens)Notes:(*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy.Aftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 2 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 2 km (1 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Mar 21, 2026 07:51 am (GMT +2)11 minutes ago - felt4.25 km0 km - This quakeIonian Sea, 14 km W of Kefalonia Island, GreeceMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 26 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 3,500 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 6 or higher: 0.22 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 4.6 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 1.71 quakes per yearMag. 4 or higher: 30.8 quakes per year (or 2.6 quakes per month)Mag. 3 or higher: 257 quakes per year (or 21.4 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 1,500 quakes per year (or 4.1 quakes per day)Mag. 1 or higher: 3,400 quakes per year (or 9.4 quakes per day)The area where this quake occurred has a very high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 27 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 1 to 5 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 6 hours after a magnitude 4.5 earthquake had hit on Saturday, Mar 21, 2026, at 01:31 am local time (Europe/Athens GMT +2) in 11.8 km (7 mi) distance to the west:Mag. 4.5 earthquake 20 km northwest of Argostoli - Ionian Islands, Greece - The largest quake near the epicenter of this quake during the 10 years before was an event of magnitude 6.8. It had occurred 7 years earlier, on Friday, Oct 26, 2018, at 01:54 am local time (Europe/Athens GMT +3) in Ionian Islands, Greece:Mag. 6.8 earthquake Ionian Sea - Ionian Islands, Greece - Oct 26, 2018 - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 7.3. It had occurred 79 years ago earlier, on Monday, Oct 6, 1947, at 07:55 pm local time (Universal Time GMT +0) in Peloponnese, Greece:Mag. 7.3 earthquake Ionian Sea - Peloponnese, Greece - Oct 6, 1947 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapMar 21, 01:31 am (Athens)4.510 km12 km (7.4 mi) to the W 20 km northwest of Argostoli, Kefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian Islands, Greece I FELT IT - 14 reportsInfoJan 27, 07:53 pm (GMT +2)4.720 km94 km (58 mi) to the S 65 km WSW of Lithakiá, Greece 4 reportsInfoNov 17, 2025 11:44 am (Athens)4.110.7 km69 km (43 mi) to the N 7 km N From Agios Nikitas 19 reportsInfoOct 12, 2025 09:41 pm (GMT +3)4.211 km62 km (38 mi) to the NW GreeceInfoOct 1, 2025 05:49 am (Athens)4.517 km71 km (44 mi) to the S 12 km WSW From Keri Zakynthos 377 reportsInfoJun 21, 2025 02:25 pm (GMT +1)4.510 km43 km (27 mi) to the SWIonian Sea, 40 km southwest of Argostoli, Greece 88 reportsInfoFeb 18, 2025 06:54 pm (Athens)4.74.3 km64 km (40 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 27 km northeast of Zakynthos Island, Greece 85 reportsInfoOct 30, 2018 04:12 pm (GMT +1)5.710 km87 km (54 mi) to the SIonian Sea, 48 km southwest of Zakynthos, Greece 110 reportsInfoOct 26, 2018 01:54 am (Athens)6.810 km83 km (52 mi) to the SIonian Sea, 30 km southwest of Lithakia, Nomos Zakynthou, Ionian Islands, Greece 1142 reportsInfoNov 17, 2015 10:10 am (Athens)6.310 km57 km (36 mi) to the NIonian Sea, 7.7 km north of Nisida Sesoula Island, Greece 185 reportsInfoFeb 3, 2014 06:08 am (Athens)5.810 km10.6 km (6.6 mi) to the NWCosta Greca Ionica (GRECIA) 80 reportsInfoJan 26, 2014 04:55 pm (Athens)5.910 km5.7 km (3.5 mi) to the EKefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian Islands, 92 km southwest of Agrinio, Greece 111 reportsInfoNov 3, 2009 06:25 am (GMT +1)5.810 km83 km (52 mi) to the SIonian Sea, 40 km southwest of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoMar 25, 2007 04:57 pm (Athens)5.715 km10 km (6.2 mi) to the N 15 km N of Lixoúri, GreeceInfoApr 12, 2006 07:52 pm (Athens)5.719 km85 km (53 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 26 km southeast of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoOct 18, 2005 06:26 pm (Athens)5.714 km82 km (51 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 23 km southeast of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoJan 31, 2005 02:05 am (GMT +1)5.732 km83 km (51 mi) to the SIonian Sea, 61 km southwest of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoDec 2, 2002 07:58 am (Athens)5.710 km81 km (50 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 29 km east of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoNov 18, 1997 04:07 pm (Athens)6.633 km78 km (49 mi) to the SIonian Sea, 26 km south of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoOct 16, 1988 03:34 pm (Athens)5.925 km57 km (35 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 22 km northeast of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoFeb 28, 1987 01:34 am (Athens)5.75 km27 km (17 mi) to the NW 32 km NNW of Lixoúri, GreeceInfoMar 24, 1983 02:51 am (Athens)6.419 km15 km (9.1 mi) to the W 18 km NW of Lixoúri, GreeceInfoJan 17, 1983 03:41 pm (Athens)7.014 km30 km (19 mi) to the SWIonian Sea, 40 km southwest of Kefalonia Island, GreeceInfoMay 11, 1976 05:59 pm (GMT +1)6.433 km77 km (48 mi) to the S 45 km WSW of Lithakiá, GreeceInfoJan 18, 1976 06:10 pm (Athens)5.733 km74 km (46 mi) to the NIonian Sea, 20 km north of Lefkas Island, Lefkada, Ionian Islands, GreeceInfoNov 4, 1973 06:52 pm (Athens)5.88 km72 km (45 mi) to the NIonian Sea, 26 km northwest of Lefkas Island, Lefkada, Ionian Islands, GreeceInfoSep 17, 1972 05:07 pm (Athens)6.115 km15 km (9.1 mi) to the NW 19 km NW of Lixoúri, GreeceInfoApr 18, 1962 01:44 pm (Athens)6.30 km29 km (18 mi) to the S GreeceInfoDec 19, 1961 12:35 am (Athens)6.70 km25 km (16 mi) to the NW GreeceInfoNov 15, 1959 08:08 pm (Athens)6.715 km47 km (29 mi) to the S Ionian SeaInfoApr 20, 1954 03:00 am (Athens)7.00 km225 km (140 mi) to the NE 33 km northwest of Larisa, Nomos Larisis, Thessaly, GreeceInfoAug 12, 1953 12:23 pm (Athens)6.810 km46 km (29 mi) to the E 15 km east of Poros, Kefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian Islands, GreeceInfoAug 11, 1953 06:32 am (Athens)6.510 km38 km (23 mi) to the E 18 km east of Sami, Kefallonia Regional Unit, Ionian Islands, GreeceInfoJun 30, 1948 12:21 pm (Universal Time)6.415 km84 km (52 mi) to the NIonian Sea, Epirus, 32 km north of Lefkas Island, GreeceInfoApr 22, 1948 10:42 am (Universal Time)6.615 km37 km (23 mi) to the NIonian Sea, 31 km northwest of Ithaca Island, GreeceInfoOct 6, 1947 07:55 pm (Universal Time)7.315 km208 km (129 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 31 km southwest of Kalamata, Nomos Messinias, Peloponnese, GreeceInfoJul 1, 1927 11:19 am (Athens)7.30 km265 km (165 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, 46 km southeast of Sparti, Nomos Lakonias, Peloponnese, GreeceInfoDec 22, 1919 02:00 am (Athens)7.00 km128 km (80 mi) to the NNomos Thesprotias, 42 km southwest of Ioannina, Ioannina, Epirus, GreeceInfoAug 7, 1915 06:04 pm (Athens)6.70 km37 km (23 mi) to the NEIonian Sea, 13 km north of Ithaca Island, GreeceInfoJan 27, 1915 01:09 am (Universal Time)6.415 km25 km (16 mi) to the SWIonian Sea, 35 km southwest of Kefalonia Island, GreeceInfoJan 24, 1912 04:23 pm (Universal Time)6.415 km63 km (39 mi) to the SEIonian Sea, West Greece, 27 km northeast of Zakynthos Island, GreeceInfoNov 18, 1911 10:35 pm (Tirane)7.00 km239 km (149 mi) to the N 34 km southwest of Korce, Qarku i Korces, AlbaniaInfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]