M6.0 Earthquake Near Fentale Volcano Affects Thousands in Ethiopia

A M6.0 earthquake occurred near Fentale volcano, Ethiopia, on February 14, 2025. With a shallow depth of 10 km, the quake significantly impacted local communities. A Green alert was issued for low casualties, but vulnerabilities persist due to building conditions and potential secondary hazards like landslides and dam risks.

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Fentale volcano, Ethiopia, on February 14, 2025, at 20:28 UTC, with a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicenter was located approximately 6.6 km (4.1 miles) NNE of Metahara and 26 km (16 miles) W of Awash, impacting a combined population of over 34,000 people.

An estimated 629,000 residents experienced the earthquake, with 45,000 feeling very strong tremors and 147,000 enduring moderate shaking. The USGS has issued a Green alert indicating a low likelihood of casualties and damage, although many buildings in the vicinity are vulnerable to seismic activity, being primarily adobe and informal construction.

This earthquake is the strongest in a series of seismic events triggered by magma movement under the Fentale volcanic complex, part of the Main Ethiopian Rift, since the crisis began on December 22, 2024. Communities in Oromiya and Afar regions have faced significant disruption, with approximately 80,000 individuals urged to evacuate high-risk areas.

Recent seismic activity has resulted in damage to essential facilities, such as homes, schools, and health centers, with reports of at least two injuries. Concerns are growing regarding fissures that have formed around the Kesem/Sabure Dam, which could pose a catastrophic flood risk should there be a structural failure, given its limited capacity to withstand significant tremors.

Evacuation initiatives are being implemented by the government to relocate residents from danger zones, aimed at mitigating the risks posed by these earthquakes and the associated hazards, such as potential landslides.

The M6.0 earthquake near Fentale volcano underscores the seismo-volcanic challenges facing Ethiopia, particularly in vulnerable regions. While the immediate risk of fatalities is low, ongoing seismic activity and the potential for secondary hazards, such as flooding from dam failures, necessitate continued vigilance and proactive measures to protect affected populations.

Original Source: watchers.news