Over 80,000 thrilled Greeks, fans of heavy metal group Metallica, caused several minor earthquakes in OAKA stadium in Athens on Saturday night.
This phenomenon, known as “concert quakes”, was recorded and confirmed by the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, media reported.
The micro-seismic vibrations, fanquakes or concert quakes were caused from the synchronized dancing and jumping of tens of thousands of people during the the high-energy music during the Metallica concert.The phenomenon of “concert quakes” and has been observed at major concerts worldwide.
In a unique concert experience that marked Athens, Metallica managed to cause micro-seismic vibrations in the Olympic Stadium during their concert.
Speaking to media, the President of the National Earthquake Planning & Protection organization, Efthymios Lekkas, said:
“The Metallica concert did not cause an earthquake, only continuous seismic vibrations. Vibrations that can be recorded by special instruments. They are vibrations that are recorded anyway, without having a concert, but with the concert they intensified. Essentially they are simulated as an earthquake. A continuous seismic activity.”
He added that the seismic vibrations were not noticed by the residents of the area. It was only the seismographs recording them.
On Saturday night, Athens experienced a night that will remain etched in the memories of the tens of thousands of heavy metal fans who packed the OAKA.
Metallica, as part of their M72 World Tour, returned to Greece after 16 years, delivering an audiovisual spectacle that exceeded all expectations.
The highlight of the evening, which sparked a frenzy of excitement, came during the now-traditional “ doodle” improvisation by Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett.
Οι #Metallica παίζουν Ζορμπά pic.twitter.com/WvrUa3HHVY
— Kathimerini_Web (@KathimeriniWeb) May 9, 2026
Paying tribute to Greek hospitality, the duo surprised the audience by performing “Zorba” by Mikis Theodorakis: the iconic syrtaki melody was given an electric treatment, prompting the entire OAKA stadium to move in sync with the legendary composition.
PS “Zorba” has been too commercialized, a kkind of national anthem for touristic Greece, but I still think it is one of the greatest pieces of Greek music ever composed.
