M4.2 Earthquake 45 km ESE of Karpathos, Greece — May 18, 2026
2026-05-18 05:11:19 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 7:11 AM UTC+2 local
On May 18, 2026 at 05:11 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 45 km ESE of Karpathos, Greece, at a depth of 49.8 km and coordinates 35.3683°, 27.6827°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
27.6827°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Karpathos, Greece?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 45 km ESE of Karpathos, Greece on May 18, 2026 at 05:11 UTC had a depth of 49.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000syge). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 18, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 45 km ESE of Karpathos, Greece — May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000syge/