Addis Ababa, Jan 4 (NationPress) The recent series of earthquakes in the eastern regions of Ethiopia has generated significant anxiety among residents, prompting both experts and government officials to encourage calmness and heightened awareness.
According to the latest findings from the US Geological Survey (USGS), there have been at least ten seismic occurrences in central Ethiopia in the last two days, predominantly affecting the vicinity of Awash Fentale and Metehara towns, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
A notable sequence of tremors occurred near Awash town just within the past day. One of these tremors, registering a magnitude of 5, struck 63 km NNE of the town at 21:18:26 GMT on Thursday, marking one of the more significant seismic events in recent weeks. The epicenter was initially located at a depth of 10 km, with coordinates of 9.53 degrees north latitude and 40.35 degrees east longitude, as per the USGS.
Citizens have shared video footage online depicting asphalt roads fracturing as a result of the ongoing seismic activities, with cracks becoming more pronounced over time.
Since late September 2024, the Awash Fentale mountainous region has been affected by frequent earthquakes of various magnitudes. The public is being urged to adhere to safety measures, considering the unusual frequency of such incidents in this part of East Africa.
The majority of these successive earthquakes have been of moderate strength, with some reaching magnitudes of 5 or greater. The tremors have been perceptible even in the capital, Addis Ababa, which lies about 150 km to the west, raising concerns among both urban and rural residents.
In light of these ongoing occurrences, experts and officials have advised the population to remain composed and vigilant, particularly in regions known for seismic activities, as the area is part of the tectonically dynamic East African Rift system, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
In an interview with the national broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Elias Lewi, head of Geophysics and Space Science at Addis Ababa University, confirmed that the Awash Fentale area has been experiencing repeated seismic events over recent weeks.
The expert emphasized that these ongoing earthquakes are largely a result of continuous tectonic movements in the region, particularly involving basaltic rock formations. He also indicated that these geological processes are likely to maintain a high frequency of seismic occurrences in the area.
