Could the Greek earthquake trigger a devastating tsunami toward the Mediterranean coast?

Arab Weather - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the Greek coast at dawn today, felt by residents along most of the Mediterranean coast. The earthquake caused concern in coastal areas, as residents were expecting a tsunami due to the magnitude of the earthquake. However, the surprise was that the sea remained completely calm, and the authorities did not record any tsunami waves. So why did the earthquake not cause a tsunami despite its strength?

The great depth of the earthquake and its effect on tsunami generation

One of the main factors that explains the lack of tsunami is the great depth of the earthquake. The epicenter was located 83 kilometers below the Earth's surface. The depth of an earthquake has a significant impact on the type of effects it can have on the sea surface. Earthquakes that occur at a depth of more than 50 kilometers often have their energy ignited deep within the Earth, making them less able to push water and move the sea floor in a way that produces tsunami waves. When tremors occur deep, the energy they release does not reach the sea surface with the same force as earthquakes near the surface.

Type of tectonic movement and its effect on tsunami formation

Another important factor is the type of tectonic movement that caused the earthquake. Earthquakes that generate tsunamis are usually the result of vertical movement of the Earth's plates, where a sudden uplift or downward movement of the seafloor occurs, forcing large amounts of water to the surface and creating huge waves. However, the earthquake that struck Greece today was the result of horizontal movement, meaning the tectonic plates moved sideways rather than up or down. This means that the seafloor didn't change vertically enough to cause the waves that pose a tsunami threat.

Geographical location and its effect on tsunami formation

Although the earthquake occurred near the coast, its geographic location is not considered a location that usually witnesses a tsunami. The epicenter was close to land, not deep in the open sea or in deep marine areas. Earthquakes that occur in the open sea, far from the coast, are more likely to generate tsunamis, as this type of earthquake is characterized by its ability to cause significant changes in the sea floor, resulting in huge waves. Earthquakes that occur closer to land, on the other hand, often have a limited impact on the surrounding waters.

Could a tsunami occur in an earthquake of this strength?

It is important to know that an earthquake alone is not enough to generate a tsunami. There are a number of factors that must be present together for destructive tsunami waves to occur:

First, the earthquake must be under the sea, at least 50 km deep, to have a strong impact on the seafloor.

Second: The earthquake must be severe, usually above 7 degrees.

Third: There must be a vertical movement that causes the water to rise suddenly. In the case of the Greek earthquake, these factors were not fully present, and therefore no tsunami occurred.

Conclusion

Although the earthquake in Greece was powerful and caused significant ground shaking in a number of areas, the geological conditions were not conducive to generating a tsunami. It is important to remember that the strength of an earthquake is not the only factor that determines whether a tsunami will occur. Depth, dynamics, and geographic location are all crucial factors that play a major role in determining whether an earthquake will trigger a tsunami. This incident is a reminder that earthquakes do not always lead to tsunamis, and that this depends on a variety of complex conditions.