The ground just could not seem to stop shaking in August 1953. On 9 August the island of Ithaca was struck by a powerful earthquake that caused extensive damage to buildings. Two days later, another earthquake shook Zakynthos and the surrounding islands, resulting in heavy damage. The aftershocks kept everybody on edge, and yet somehow all this destruction was nothing but a prelude to the main event. At 11:24 (local time) on 12 August southeastern Kefalonia was struck by an earthquake that measured 7.2 on the surface wave magnitude scale. The whole island was raised by 60 cm (24 in) but it was the capital city of Zakynthos that suffered the most; only two buildings were left standing.