Cyprus recorded more than 100 earthquakes in past decade; experts not alarmed

The Cyprus Geological Survey Department is monitoring but not alarmed by dozens of earthquakes in recent years, considering them part of the region’s normal seismic activity.

A significant earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was recorded on September 4 in Cyprus’s maritime area, 18 kilometres southwest of Paphos at a depth of 13 kilometres. The tremor was strongly felt in Paphos and Limassol districts and was noticeable across Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean.

Data from the department shows varying numbers of felt earthquakes over recent years, with ten recorded in 2023, 15 in 2022, and nine in 2021. Between 2011 and 2020, Cyprus experienced 71 noticeable earthquakes of various magnitudes.

Notable seismic events include:

• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake on April 1, 2011, located 520 kilometres from Paphos, northeast of Crete
• A magnitude 5.4 tremor on May 11, 2012, occurring 70 kilometres southeast of Larnaca
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake on June 10, 2012 between Rhodes and Turkey, felt in Cyprus
• A significant local earthquake measuring 5.6 on April 15, 2015 near Kissonerga, Paphos, which was strongly felt throughout the island
• A magnitude 5.5 earthquake on September 12, 2018, located 170 kilometres northwest of Polis Chrysochous
• A magnitude 5.4 tremor on December 5, 2020, recorded 130 kilometres north of Polis Chrysochous

The 2015 Kissonerga earthquake was particularly significant as it occurred close to Paphos and was strongly felt across the island, with varying intensities reported in different districts.

In-Cyprus