Fatalities in the Lixouri-Argostoli Earthquake of 1953

The Lixouri-Argostoli earthquake in Kephallenia, occurring in 1953, holds the grim distinction of being the deadliest, with 476 deaths. This event alone accounts for a significant portion of the total fatalities listed, highlighting its severe impact on Greece's earthquake history.

Comparison of Fatalities Across Decades

A closer examination reveals a declining trend in earthquake fatalities over the years. From the 1950s to the 1990s, there is a noticeable decrease in the number of deaths. For instance, earthquakes in the 1950s, such as the Dodecanese (1956) and Sophades (Karditsa, 1954) earthquakes, resulted in 53 and 31 deaths respectively, compared to later events like the Aiyion, Eratini earthquake in 1995, which led to 26 deaths.

Impact of Earthquakes in Urban Areas

Urban areas, especially Athens, have been significantly affected by earthquakes. The Athens earthquake in 1999 resulted in 143 deaths, making it the second deadliest on the list. This underlines the heightened risk and potential for casualties in densely populated regions.

Least Deadly Earthquakes

The earthquakes with the lowest fatalities, such as the Athens-Eastern Gulf of Corinth in 1981 and Greece (1954), caused 22 and 25 deaths respectively. These events, while tragic, indicate instances where the impact was relatively contained, potentially due to factors such as location, magnitude, or effective emergency response.

Geographical Distribution of Fatal Earthquakes

The geographical spread of these earthquakes, from Kephallenia to the Dodecanese and mainland cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, illustrates the widespread seismic risk across Greece. Each region's distinct geological features contribute to the variance in earthquake impact and fatalities.