M4.9 Earthquake 40 km ESE of Ierápetra, Greece — April 27, 2026
2026-04-27 07:45:02 UTC (4 hours ago) · approx. 9:45 AM UTC+2 local
Aftershock of the M5.0 mainshock.
On April 27, 2026 at 07:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 40 km ESE of Ierápetra, Greece, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 34.8322°, 26.1257°. This earthquake was detected by 160 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 3 days ago 24 km S of Sitia, Greece. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
The epicenter is located in Greece, a region characterized by the Hellenic subduction zone, where the African Plate subducts northward beneath the Aegean at roughly 35 mm per year. The nearest mapped fault system is the Hellenic Trench. View all earthquakes in Greece.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
26.1257°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Ierápetra, Greece?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 40 km ESE of Ierápetra, Greece on April 27, 2026 at 07:45 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 34.8322°, 26.1257°, which is 40 km ESE of Ierápetra, Greece. View all earthquakes in Greece.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 24 km S of Sitia, Greece. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Has Greece had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Greece was the M8.5 Crete earthquake of June 29, 1303. Today's magnitude 4.9 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000st3w). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 27, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 40 km ESE of Ierápetra, Greece — April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000st3w/