The news in Greek
Ένας σεισμός 5.1 Ρίχτερ έπληξε το νησί της Λέσβου. Το επίκεντρο ήταν κοντά στο Μανταμάδο και το βάθος ήταν 5 χιλιόμετρα, κάνοντάς τον αισθητό σε όλο το νησί και σε άλλες περιοχές. Δεν υπήρξαν άμεσα τραυματισμοί ή ζημιές. Σχολεία έκλεισαν για προληπτικούς ελέγχους.
Translation
A 5.1 Richter scale earthquake struck the island of Lesvos. The epicentre was near Mandamados, with a depth of 5 kilometres, making it felt across the island and in other areas. There were no immediate injuries or damage. Schools were closed for precautionary inspections.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Where was the epicenter of the earthquake that hit Lesvos?
The epicenter was near the town of Mandamados.
Question 2: What was the depth of the earthquake?
The depth of the earthquake was 5 kilometers.
Exercise: Vocabulary
Read the full story
▌22/01/2025
An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the island of Lesvos recently, causing significant alarm among residents. The epicentre of the quake was located approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Mantamados, and it occurred at a relatively shallow depth of merely 5 kilometres. This shallow depth contributed to the quake's intensity, making it felt across the island and in nearby areas.
The tremor was widely sensed in surrounding regions, including the islands of Chios and the broader area of Thrace, as well as the Turkish coastline. Many inhabitants of Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos, reported experiencing strong shaking, prompting numerous individuals to evacuate their homes for safety.
Local authorities were quick to respond, with fire services and civil protection units conducting thorough inspections to identify any potential damage. Up until late in the evening, no immediate injuries or significant building damage had been reported. The public remained vigilant as evaluations of the aftermath continued.
Expert analysis of the earthquake has been varied. Professor Efthimios Lekkas, a geologist and president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, commented that the earthquake originated from a substantial underwater fault line. He noted that this particular fault had been active four years prior, generating seismic activity, but stated that there should not be cause for major concern.
Strong Earthquake Strikes Lesvos, Felt Across Aegean (Illustration)
In a related development, a smaller aftershock measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale followed the main quake. Experts, including seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos, have indicated that further aftershocks are expected as the area stabilises.
For precautionary reasons, schools in the municipal communities of Mantamados, Mithymna, and Petra were closed to allow for building inspections. Taïarchis Verros, the Mayor of Western Lesvos, assured the community that these measures were preventative, as no damage to school facilities had been reported.
Meanwhile, reports indicated some disruptions, such as rockslides between the villages of Argennos and Vafeios, temporarily blocking roadways. Local emergency services were dispatched to secure and clear the affected areas.
The situation continues to be monitored closely by local and regional authorities as they strive to ensure the safety and normalcy for the communities on Lesvos and surrounding islands. The event is a reminder of the geographical and seismic complexities of the region, a sentiment echoed by officials and residents alike.
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