2 Magnitude 5 Quakes Shake Southwestern Greece

February 19, 2013

Seismologists say two earthquakes have struck southwestern Greece, both with preliminary magnitudes 5 but with different epicenters. No injuries or damage were immediately reported.

The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the first quake struck at 5:12 a.m. (0312 GMT) Sunday, with an epicenter beneath the seabed 69 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of the Ionian island of Zakinthos. The second struck more than two hours later off the southwestern shore of the Peloponnese.

The U.S. Geological survey gave the first quake a preliminary magnitude of 4.9, and the second 5. Preliminary magnitudes often vary in the early hours after a quake.

Greece is in an earthquake-prone region, but most have epicenters deep beneath the seabed and rarely cause damage or injuries.

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