The Aftermath

The impact of the 1953 earthquake in Kefalonia

The 1953 earthquake in Kefalonia was actually made up of four large earthquakes, the largest measuring up to 7.5 on the Richter scale. The effects of the earthquake were numerous. With 600 dead and 100,000 people relocating off the island, only 25,000 people were left to rebuild the island, however they did receive international help from Britain, the United States, Norway and Sweden.The damage was tragic, the earthquake destroying the old castle and all the mansions on the island, only two houses and a bridge survived the disaster. Although the island was rebuilt, they were unable to recapture the beauty the landscape once had. Some of the villages escaped the effect of the earthquake but others, such as the village Assos, were completely destroyed. However, one of the positive outcomes of the earthquake was the discovery of the underground lake of Melissani.

Reference:http://www.greeka.com/ionian/kefalonia/kefalonia-history/kefalonia-earthquake.htm