A 4.9-magnitude earthquake was felt across the Ethiopian Rift Valley, west of Lake Awash, Mount Fentale area, and in the town of Metehara, on Sunday evening, sending some residents running for shelter. There were no reports of injuries or damage, although residents reported buildings shaking as far away as the capital, Addis Ababa.
The tremblor struck at a depth of 10 kilometers in the Mount Fentale area at 08:10 p.m., according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). Fantale is a large stratovolcano in the Ethiopian Rift Valley west of Lake Awash. It contains a large spectacular summit caldera.
Early reports indicated that residents in Adama, North Shoa, South Wollo, Dessie, and Kombolcha also felt the earthquake. Similarly, no major structural damage or injuries were reported in these areas.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Metehara, located 42 km from the epicenter, as well as in Gelemso (61 km away), Bedēsa (80 km away), Āsbe Teferī (82 km away), Debre Birhan (84 km away), and Abomsa (88 km away), according to the Volcano Discovery website.
People in in the capital Addis Ababa reported experiencing shaking. Some residents said the tremor rattled dishes, windows, and doors, and caused walls to make cracking sounds, especially in condominiums. Others described the shaking as feeling like a heavy truck had struck the building.
Dr. Elias Lewi, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Geophysics, Science, and Astronomy, reassured the public, stating that there is no cause for alarm.
A week ago, on 27 September, a smaller series of earthquakes occurred, with three quakes registering magnitudes in the range of 4 in the area. The strongest quake occurred on 26 September at 04:36:21 UTC, reaching a magnitude of 4.9. The hypocenter was located at a depth of 10 kilometers, though it may have been shallower, which could not be determined exactly.
I have expressed my worries for decades about possible major earthquake hitting any location of that country including the metropolitan capital. The fault line is not too far from Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia. If this was centered in and just outside the capital, it could have been a calamity. I remember what one of my friends who was born and raised in the capital told me and how the late emperor’s administration had the possibility of a major earthquake in mind. It had strict rules in the construction of high rise buildings. He told me how those rules were compromised since then. I don’t think anyone in charge of issuing construction permits in the administration has any clues or concern about it. May The Almighty Save Those Upright People!!!
TO ; Ittu Aba Farda
Ethiopia has never experienced such huge earthquake like that of other country notably Egypt
Your worthless blaming is expected because I know who You are and to whom You are working
This strong earthquake in Ethiopia warning from God in Islam to avoid death by floods lightning tornadoes more mag 7 earthquake meteorite dam burst non-Muslims to convert to Islam and Muslims to apply the Quran 100% in Ethiopia October 7, 2024 and to avoid hell if the end of the world October 11, 2024
Yes you are right. Some of the high rise buildings are right near the fault line in downtown Addis Ababa due to the greedy construction speculators.
In my opinion for the quake ,the new buildings which have been constructed around the earth quaked area can be a case.
The cities administration,government and other stakeholders must be very concerned about those areas which have an earth quake areas,specially around in the Great rift valley.
As all of we know,there are different types of construction in the country for the purpose of city colliders developments and beauty ,this can and also will be a cause for earthquakes in different areas in ethiopia especially there.
Additionally,there is an incrisement of heat of the rift valley.
The Royal Imperial Government and the Derg were both aware of the main fault line passing down the valley via Fin Finé They limited construction around this area. Some buildings experienced from Piaza to Churchill upwards due to sesimic activities. Both authorities were sensible to limit buildings. Later on ganet-like construction entrepreneurs under the Meles regime, ignored the restrictions and decided to build anyway. Well as the old adige goes in French, “he who sows the wind, harvests the storm!” Whenever the dust hits the air conditioning [and there is a serious earthquake of any consequence,] certain ex-construction bosses and their acolytes will be held responsbile for faulty building designs and falisities. Therefore they may choose to flee the country to avoid being put behind bars or held accountable! Any sensible citizen if Addis Ababa could see this problem coming. But we were silenced by the greedy politicans and construction interests. Well, now the shoe is on the other foot.
This current earthquake is message serves as a critical warning for municipalities in areas at risk of earthquakes. It is essential to reevaluate and adjust the licensing procedures for construction projects to ensure they align with the seismic hazards specific to the region.
I hope all municipalities to take proactive steps in assessing and updating their building regulations and practices to enhance safety and resilience in the face of potential earthquakes in the future which looks inevitable soon or later. .