M5.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Dofen Volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar Region
A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck near Dofen volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region on March 16, 2025. The quake was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 km, and significant shaking was felt by thousands. A Green alert for casualties and economic losses was issued due to the region’s vulnerable structures. Ongoing volcanic activity and recent evacuations highlight the area’s seismic challenges.
On March 16, 2025, at 18:53 UTC (21:53 local time), a strong and shallow earthquake registering M5.5 struck the Afar region of Ethiopia, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was reported at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) corroborated both the magnitude and depth of the quake.
The epicenter of the tremor was located 46 kilometers (28.6 miles) south of Awash, 63.8 kilometers (39.7 miles) south-southwest of Metahara, and 55.5 kilometers (34.5 miles) east of Dofen volcano. An estimated 6,000 individuals experienced severe shaking, while 26,000 felt very strong tremors, 14,000 encountered strong shaking, and 30,000 underwent moderate vibrations.
The USGS has issued a Green alert, indicating a low likelihood of casualties and economic damage related to the earthquake. However, many structures in the region remain vulnerable to seismic activity, primarily due to informal construction methods such as metal, timber, and adobe block housing.
Following this event, a moderate aftershock registered M4.3 at 21:20 UTC, located 47 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Abomsa at the same depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). This earthquake is part of an ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis affecting the Dofen volcano since December 22, 2024, characterized by a series of significant earthquakes, ground fissures, and a potentially eruptive volcanic vent opening.
As a result of an M5.7 earthquake on January 4, 2025, mass evacuations were implemented due to the emergence of large ground cracks, displacing over 60,000 residents. A new volcanic vent has also appeared near Mount Dofen, releasing jets of steam, gas, rocks, and mud, raising concerns regarding a potential eruption, unprecedented in the volcano’s history. Complications in evacuation efforts have arisen from volcanic mudflows reported by the Ethiopian Geological Institute.
Amidst volcanic concerns, the stability of the Kesem/Sabure Dam has also been highlighted. This dam is designed to endure earthquakes up to M5.6; however, given recent seismic activity exceeding this threshold, experts caution that a structural failure could introduce catastrophic flooding risks, thereby threatening hundreds of thousands of lives.
Mount Dofen, at an elevation of 1,151 meters (3,776 feet) above sea level, is situated within the Main Ethiopian Rift, a segment of the East African Rift System, noted for its tectonic activity including frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, resulting from ongoing tectonic plate divergence and magma movement beneath the earth’s surface.
In conclusion, the recent M5.5 earthquake near Dofen volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region marks a significant seismic event with ongoing implications for the local population. The earthquake’s shallow depth and proximity to vulnerable buildings raise concerns, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of seismic activities in this tectonically active region. Furthermore, the potential for volcanic eruption poses additional risks, necessitating preparedness and risk mitigation efforts.
Original Source: watchers.news
