2022 Cyprus earthquake
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   | |
| UTC time | 2022-01-11 01:07:48 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 621684247 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 11 January 2022 |
| Local time | 03:07 EET |
| Duration | 20 seconds[1] |
| Magnitude | 6.6 Mw |
| Depth | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Epicenter | 35°13′37″N 31°56′38″E / 35.227°N 31.944°E |
| Fault | Cyprus arc |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Greece |
| Total damage | Minor |
| Max. intensity | MMI VI (Strong) |
| Tsunami | 10 cm (0.33 ft)[2] |
| Casualties | 3 dead, 1 injured |
An earthquake struck west of Paphos, Cyprus on 11 January 2022, with a moment magnitude of 6.6.[3] The earthquake was the largest tremor to occur in the Mediterranean Sea since the 2003 Boumerdès earthquake,[4] and the largest to occur in Cyprus since 1996.[5]
Cyprus is located in a complex zone of a boundary between the Anatolian and African Plates. These two plates are colliding along the Cyprus Arc, a tectonic boundary that runs south of the island. This subduction zone is offset by a small transform fault known as the Paphos Transform Fault. This plate boundary, along with the Dead Sea Transform and East Anatolian Fault Leads to motion of the African and Arabian Plates.[6] This has resulted in moderately destructive, occasional earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.0–7.5 in 1222 which severely impacted the island and generated a large tsunami.