Ethiopia has recently experienced a series of earthquakes, with over 14 tremors recorded within just 24 hours.
These seismic events, concentrated in the Afar region’s Awash area, also known as Fentale, have caused minor damage to property and displaced thousands of residents.
Despite the repeated earthquakes, there have been no reports of significant structural damage or casualties so far.
According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful earthquake recorded in the recent sequence reached a magnitude of 5.0 on the Richter scale.
The tremors were felt as far as Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, underscoring the strength of the seismic activity.
In the Awash Fentale district, more than 100 houses have been damaged, and 2,560 people have been displaced.
Livestock, a critical livelihood for the local community, has also been lost. “The situation is worsening, with up to 10 or more earthquakes occurring daily,” said Adem Bahi, the district administrator.
Residents in the area have fled their homes, seeking safety from the relentless tremors. The continuous seismic activity has prompted urgent humanitarian concerns, with more than 2,500 individuals left without shelter and in need of immediate assistance.
The earthquakes in Awash Fentale are part of Ethiopia’s broader vulnerability to seismic activity due to its location within the East African Rift Valley.
This geological feature, which stretches from the Red Sea through Mekelle, Dessie, Kombolcha, Ankober, Debre Berhan, Awash, Adama, Metahara, Fentale, Meki, Zway, Hawassa, Arbaminch, and parts of Addis Ababa, is prone to frequent tectonic shifts.
Dr. Mesele Haile, a geologist and senior lecturer at Addis Ababa University, explained that Ethiopia’s Rift Valley has historically been a hotspot for earthquakes.
“Ethiopia has experienced 30 to 40 earthquakes of up to 6.8 magnitude over the past 100 years,” Dr. Mesele noted. “However, most of these did not cause significant damage as cities were smaller and lacked tall buildings at the time.”
Ethiopia’s seismic history includes several notable events that have shaped its understanding of earthquake activity.
The first recorded earthquake in the country occurred in 1898 in Langano, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale.
This powerful tremor caused significant destruction, including damage to churches in Addis Ababa.
Another major earthquake struck in 1953 along the Addis Ababa-Dessie road, in an area known as Karakore. With a magnitude of 6.75, it led to the collapse of houses in towns such as Majete, Kombolcha, and Dessie.
In 1960, the Afar region experienced a 6.4-magnitude earthquake centered in Semera, particularly affecting the area of Serdo, where numerous homes were destroyed. These historical events underscore Ethiopia’s vulnerability to seismic activity, particularly in regions along the Rift Valley.
While Ethiopia’s earthquakes have historically caused limited destruction, the recent seismic activity highlights the growing risks to urban areas as cities expand and populations grow. Experts emphasize the importance of strengthening infrastructure and preparing for potential disasters.
Authorities are monitoring the ongoing tremors in Awash Fentale and working to provide aid to affected residents.
Meanwhile, the government and experts are urging for increased awareness and preparedness to mitigate the risks posed by the country’s seismic activity.
