Palekastro, Greece — A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck in the sea southeast of Palekastro on the island of Crete on Monday morning Central time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

What happened:

The quake hit at 10:49 AM CT (4:49 PM local time in Greece), centered about 81 kilometers (50 miles) south-southeast of Palekastro, at a depth of about 48.5 kilometers (30 miles). It was a moderate offshore earthquake, deep enough that shaking at the surface would be less intense than a shallow quake of the same size.

Impacts:

No tsunami threat was issued for this earthquake, and the USGS had no felt reports or damage reports listed at the time of this report. People on eastern Crete and nearby islands may have felt light shaking. Officials had not reported injuries or damage.

What to do:

- Drop, cover, and hold on during shaking, and stay away from windows and heavy objects that could fall.

- After shaking stops, check yourself and those around you for injuries, and watch for hazards such as broken glass, damaged walls, or gas smells.

- Expect aftershocks, which can follow a quake like this one, and stay alert for updated information from local authorities.

- If you are near the coast and feel strong or long-lasting shaking, move to higher ground right away as a precaution.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 2, 2026.