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^th. That earthquake measured 7.2 on the surface wave magnitude scale and caused widespread damage throughout the islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

The quake struck at 09:24 (UTC) or 11:24 (local time). Four Israeli warships received S.O.S. signals coming from the Island of Kefalonia and the ships headed to the island. The sailors were providing emergency medical aid, food and water. This was the first time Israel had provided aid to a disaster-stricken area.

The earthquake is most notably known as the great Kefalonia Earthquake; yet in Zakynthos town, that island's capital, only two buildings survived the earthquake and the rest of the town's capital had to be rebuilt. Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, also suffered substantial damage.

As well as causing major destruction on the two islands, the economic impact of the earthquake was far greater, and damage was estimated to have totaled billions of Drachmas. Many people fled the island after the earthquake, leaving the island as well as its economy in ruins.

Today earthquakes regular shake the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, including the 2006 earthquake swarm of Zakynthos and two earthquakes in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

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