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A significant and shallow earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 6.0 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), occurred in proximity to the Fentale volcano in Ethiopia at 20:28 UTC (23:28 local time) on February 14, 2025. The USGS has indicated that the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) has corroborated both the magnitude and the depth of the event.
The earthquake’s epicenter was identified in proximity to the Fentale volcano, situated approximately 6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles) north-northeast of Metahara, which has a population of 23,403, in the Oromiya region. Additionally, it is located about 26 kilometers (16 miles) west of Awash, a town with a population of 11,415, in the Afar region of Ethiopia.
It is estimated that around 45,000 individuals experienced very strong tremors, while 37,000 felt strong shaking, and approximately 147,000 reported moderate shaking as a result of the seismic event.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has issued a Green alert concerning the potential for fatalities and economic repercussions related to the shaking. The assessment indicates a low probability of significant casualties and damage occurring as a result of this earthquake.
In this region, the majority of the population lives in buildings that are particularly susceptible to seismic activity, although there are a few structures designed to withstand such forces. The most common types of vulnerable constructions include adobe block and informal materials such as metal, timber, and galvanized iron.
Recent seismic events in this area have triggered secondary hazards, including landslides, which may have exacerbated the overall impact and losses experienced by the community.
This earthquake represents the most significant seismic event in the ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis affecting this part of Ethiopia since December 22, 2024. It is believed that these tremors are associated with the movement of magma within the Fentale volcanic complex, situated in the Main Ethiopian Rift.
Since January, around 80,000 individuals in the Oromiya and Afar regions have been affected and advised to evacuate from these areas. In response to the escalating risks, the government is facilitating the relocation of residents from zones deemed high-risk to more secure locations.
The seismic activity has inflicted significant damage on various structures, including homes, health facilities, educational institutions, roads, and essential infrastructure. Reports indicate that at least two individuals have sustained injuries as a result of these events.
Moreover, the emergence of widening fissures in the ground has raised alarms regarding the stability of the Kesem/Sabure Dam, which contains a considerable amount of water. A failure of this structure could lead to devastating flooding downstream, posing a threat to the lives of hundreds of thousands, despite the dam’s design to endure earthquakes of up to magnitude 5.6.
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake Ethiopia – USGS – February 14, 2025
2 M6.0 earthquake Ethiopia – EMSC – February 14, 2025
3 Intense seismo-volcanic crisis near Dofen volcano forces thousands to evacuate, Ethiopia – The Watchers – January 4, 2025
I’m a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
That is what has been worrying me. 6.0 is very strong and if it is shallow, that can destroy an entire village or town like Awash and Metahara where houses are built with no quake minded building codes. May The Almighty Save our people!!!
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