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Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Strikes Near Awash City of Afar Region in Central Ethiopia, Reports Say

12:42, 3 January 2025

Elizaveta Roschina

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The quake was reported by several international agencies, with magnitudes ranging from 5.0 to 5.3, and was probably felt as a light tremor in several nearby towns, but no significant damage is expected based on preliminary data.

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Magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck 63 km northeast of the city of Awash in the Afar region in central Ethiopia at 21:18 GMT on Thursday at a shallow depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

According to the USGS, there have been six more earthquakes in the Afar region since Thursday, ranging in magnitude from 4.5 to 4.9.

Seismic activity near the city of Awash has reportedly increased in recent weeks, raising concerns that the Fentale volcano, located in the region, could erupt.