Earth Science News
SHAKE AND BLOW
Series of Ethiopia earthquakes trigger evacuations
Series of Ethiopia earthquakes trigger evacuations
by AFP Staff Writers
Addis Ababa (AFP) Jan 4, 2025

Evacuations were underway in Ethiopia Saturday after a series of earthquakes, the strongest of which, a 5.8-magnitude jolt, rocked the remote north of the Horn of Africa nation.

The quakes were centred on the largely rural Afar, Oromia and Amhara regions after months of intense seismic activity.

No casualties have been reported so far.

Ethiopia's government Communication Service said around 80,000 people were living in the affected regions and the most vulnerable were being moved to temporary shelters.

"The earthquakes are increasing in terms of magnitude and recurrences," it said in a statement, adding that experts had been dispatched to assess the damage.

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission said 20,573 people had been evacuated to safer areas in Afar and Oromia, from a tally of over 51,000 "vulnerable" people.

Plans were underway to move more than 8,000 people in Oromia "in the coming days", the agency said in a statement.

The latest shallow 4.7 magnitude quake hit just before 12:40 pm (0940 GMT) about 33 kilometres north of Metehara town in Oromia, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

The earthquakes have damaged houses and threatened to trigger a volcanic eruption of the previously dormant Mount Dofan, near Segento in the northeast Afar region.

The crater has stopped releasing plumes of smoke, but nearby residents have left their homes in panic.

Earthquakes are common in Ethiopia due to its location along the Great Rift Valley, one of the world's most seismically active areas.

Experts have said the tremors and eruptions are being caused by the expansion of tectonic plates under the Great Rift Valley.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SHAKE AND BLOW
Moroccan activists tried over earthquake response criticism: lawyer
Rabat (AFP) Dec 30, 2024
Four activists advocating for victims of the 2023 earthquake in Morocco appeared in court on Monday to face charges including defamation, their lawyer told AFP. Said Ait Mahdi, the head of Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Coordination, was brought before a Marrakesh court "on allegations of defamation, insult and spreading false claims intended to harm individuals privacy," said his lawyer Mohamed Nouini. While Ait Mahdi has been in custody for a week, the other three defendants others, who face char ... read more

SHAKE AND BLOW
Japan's Wajima craftmakers see hope in disaster-hit region

UN warns of shelter needs in Gaza after hypothermia deaths

Mayotte families left homeless by cyclone leave shelters

French premier promises concrete aid for cyclone-hit Mayotte

SHAKE AND BLOW
Transforming education with virtual reality and artificial intelligence

Unlocking new potential in 2D superconducting polymers

New method turns e-waste to gold

Materials with unexpected electronic properties found in twisted layers

SHAKE AND BLOW
One dead in Ecuador, Peru ports closed amid massive waves

An abundant phytoplankton feeds a global network of marine microbes

India to monitor China's mega Tibet dam plan

Iran protests Afghan dam project in new water dispute

SHAKE AND BLOW
Chilean president makes historic visit to South Pole

ESA and NASA collaborate to track Greenland ice sheet melting

Warmer winter melts incomes of China's ice cutters

Melting sea ice in Antarctica causes ocean storms, scientists say

SHAKE AND BLOW
Blooming hard: Taiwan's persimmon growers struggle

China's frigid northeast thrives on 'little potato' tourism boom

The energy return on investment of global agriculture

China launches investigation into beef imports

SHAKE AND BLOW
Series of Ethiopia earthquakes trigger evacuations

Tens of thousands protest over Spain flood response

Number of cyclones not increasing, but intensity is, data shows

Moroccan activists tried over earthquake response criticism: lawyer

SHAKE AND BLOW
Five army volunteers in Burkina killed in attack

Lost boy survives five days in Zimbabwe park teeming with lions

Guinea junta leader says 2025 a 'crucial electoral year'

10 civilians killed in 'accidential' Nigerian army strike

SHAKE AND BLOW
Catholics hold muted Christmas mass in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold

Travelers consider weight-based airfares for sustainable flights

US passes defense bill banning gender care for minors; UK to compensate LGBTQ veterans sacked

Earliest ritual space in southwest asia discovered in Galilee cave

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.