The Great 1953 Ionian Earthquake struck the southern Ionian Islands in Greece on August 12, 1953. In mid-August 1953, beginning on 8 August there were over 113 recorded earthquakes in the region between Kefalonia and Zakynthos, but the most destructive was the earthquake of August 12. That earthquake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, raised up the whole island of Kefalonia by 60 cm,[2] and caused widespread damage throughout the islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos.[1][2]