2024–25 Ethiopian earthquakes
  | |
| UTC time | 2025-01-04 00:52:22 |
|---|---|
| Local date | 30 September 2024 – present |
| Local time | 9:00 EAT |
| Magnitude | 4.8 to 5.8 Mw |
| Depth | 10 km (6 mi) |
| Epicenter | Mount Fentale 8°58′01″N 39°55′59″E / 8.967°N 39.933°E |
| Fault | East African Rift |
| Type | Tectonic |
| Areas affected | Most central Ethiopian regions (Afar Region, Amhara, and central Oromia regions, northwestern Somali Region, and the capital Addis Ababa) |
| Total damage | More than 100 houses have been damaged since its start[1] |
| Max. intensity | MMI VI (Strong) |
| Landslides | no |
Starting from late September 2024, Ethiopia has experienced series of earthquakes ranging from 4.8 to 5.8 magnitude with initial epicenter from Afar Region's Awash Fentale and spread across much of central Ethiopia.
Timeline
[edit]On 6 October 2024, a series of earthquakes with 4.9-magnitude tremor occurred starting to Afar Region's Awash Fentale area and spread into Oromia Region, causing widespread concern.[2] The epicenter was about 23 km (14 miles) northeast of Awash as the tremor occurred at the depth of 10 km (6 miles) and the shaking was felt across central Ethiopia.[3] Over 30 homes collapsed in Afar while thousands fled to neighboring area as refuge.[4] Pubic officials responded by shutdown of transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to investigate the damage and power outages were likely to be measured.[5]
On 13 October, a magnitude of 4.6 quake happened in Oromia Region at around 07:37. The shaking affected throughout central and eastern Ethiopia, such as southern Afar, southern Amhara, and central Oromia regions, northwestern Somali Region, and the capital Addis Ababa.[6]
Also on 16 October, an earthquake was observed in Metehara area in Oromia at 11:11 PM local time with 4.8 magnitude registered. The Volcano Discovery discovered that the tremor struck at the shallow depth of 10km beneath the Earth surface. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) was the first to detail seismic event, providing crucial data for understanding its effects. According to initial reports, residents nearby the epicenter were likely saw a quake, though caused minimal damage.[7] On 29 December, an earthquake reoccurred in afternoon and until in the morning 5.1 Richter magnitude scale. Prior to this, two earthquakes occurred in a week.[8] In January 2025, 10 earthquakes were recorded within 24 hours in a week. According to the US Geological Survey, these multiple quakes were 4.3 to 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred around Fentale volcano in Awash.[9]
Since 3 January 2025, signs of a volcanic eruption began to appear, prompting authorities to move residents to temporary shelters. The Ethiopian Geological Institute posted a video in Facebook page depicting dust and smoke emerging from a volcano in Awash Fentale in Afar region.[10][11] On that day, another quake strike with the magnitude 5.8 in epicenter of Addis Ababa. It was at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) according the US Geological Survey and the German Research Centre for Geosciences.[12] The government said it evacuated 80,000 residents and monitors the seismic activity and its connection with Mount Dofan.[13][14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ethiopia rocked by series of earthquakes in 24 hours". The East African.
- ^ Endris, Yishak (2025-01-02). "Ethiopia: Over 30 Homes Collapse in Afar As Earthquakes Intensify in Awash Fentale". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia: A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs in the Oromia Region Oct. 6". Ethiopia: A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs in the Oromia Region Oct. 6 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Endris, Yishak (2025-01-02). "Ethiopia: Over 30 Homes Collapse in Afar As Earthquakes Intensify in Awash Fentale". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia: A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs in the Oromia Region Oct. 6". Ethiopia: A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs in the Oromia Region Oct. 6 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia: Magnitude-4.6 offshore earthquake occurs south of Awash, Afar Region, at around 07:37 Oct. 13". Ethiopia: Magnitude-4.6 offshore earthquake occurs south of Awash, Afar Region, at around 07:37 Oct. 13 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Earthquake Shakes Oromiya, Ethiopia: Residents Feel Tremors In Addis Ababa". ebc.et. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Account (2024-12-31). "Earthquake hits Awash Fentale Area again". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia rocked by series of earthquakes in 24 hours". The EastAfrican. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Risk of Ethiopian volcano eruption prompts evacuation of residents". Al Arabiya English. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Volcanic eruption hits central Ethiopia's Afar region amid frequent tremors". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "Earthquake of magnitude 5.8 strikes Ethiopia". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ "Ethiopia evacuates 80,000 after earthquakes, fears of volcanic eruption". Voice of America. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Government Evacuates Residents Amid Earthquakes and Volcanic Unrest at Mount Dofan". Birr Metrics. Retrieved 5 January 2025.