M5.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Dofen Volcano, Ethiopia’s Afar Region

A M5.5 earthquake struck near Dofen volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region on March 16, 2025. The quake, recorded at a depth of 10 km, affected over 70,000 individuals. Despite a Green alert from the USGS indicating low casualties, concerns remain regarding vulnerable structures and the stability of surrounding dams amid ongoing volcanic activity.

On March 16, 2025, a strong and shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck the Afar region of Ethiopia at 18:53 UTC (21:53 local time). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake’s depth at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), a finding corroborated by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicenter was situated 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 the Dofen volcano.

Approximately 6,000 individuals experienced severe shaking, while 26,000 felt very strong vibrations, 14,000 experienced strong tremors, and about 30,000 sensed moderate effects. In response, the USGS issued a Green alert concerning the potential for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or significant damage.

The region’s population predominantly resides in vulnerable structures, with many informal buildings constructed from metal, timber, and adobe block. Past earthquakes in this area have led to secondary hazards such as landslides, which may have contributed to losses during this seismic event.

On the same day as the main earthquake, a moderate aftershock with a magnitude of 4.3 occurred 47 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Abomsa at 21:20 UTC, also at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). This recent seismic activity is part of an ongoing crisis affecting the Dofen volcano, marked by a series of earthquakes and the formation of large ground fissures since December 22, 2024.

Evacuations were initiated following an earlier M5.7 earthquake on January 4, 2025, which led to the appearance of significant cracks and the displacement of over 60,000 residents. On January 3, a new volcanic vent emerged near Mount Dofen, releasing jets of steam, gas, rocks, and mud, raising concerns of a potential eruption — a first in the volcano’s recorded history. The Ethiopian Geological Institute noted that volcanic mudflows hindered evacuation efforts.

Concerns have also been raised about the Kesem/Sabure Dam, sited downstream and designed to withstand seismic activity up to M5.6. With tremors exceeding this limit, experts warned that a structural failure could result in catastrophic flooding, endangering hundreds of thousands of lives. Mount Dofen, at 1,151 meters (3,776 feet) above sea level, is situated within the Main Ethiopian Rift, a highly tectonically active zone associated with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to ongoing tectonic plate divergence.

The M5.5 earthquake that struck near the Dofen volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region underscores the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The low likelihood of casualties and damage, as indicated by the USGS Green alert, contrasts with the historical challenges posed by prior seismic events and the ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis. Effective evacuation measures and structural assessments of critical infrastructure, such as dams, are essential to ensure the safety of the affected population amid ongoing volcanic activity.

Original Source: watchers.news