Saturday June 3, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - A magnitude-5.9 earthquake rattled the Gulf of Aden, off the northern coast of Somalia and southern Yemen, at 10:17 East Africa Time (EAT) on June 3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This tremor, the second of the day, followed an earlier magnitude-5.2 quake in the same region, raising several implications and underscoring the importance of comprehensive seismic monitoring efforts.
The epicentre of the stronger quake was pinpointed approximately 183 kilometres (113 miles) northwest of Bosaso, Somalia. The shaking occurred at a relatively shallow depth of about 10 kilometres (6 miles), likely resulting in light shaking throughout northern Somalia and southern Yemen.
Earlier in the day, at approximately 09:23 EAT, a magnitude-5.2 quake struck a similar region, with its epicentre about 163 kilometres (101 miles) northwest of Bosaso. As of now, there have been no initial reports of damage or casualties from either quake. Experts anticipate that significant damage is unlikely, given the magnitudes of the tremors.
Assessment of the overall impact, particularly in remote areas, could take several hours. Officials may temporarily halt transportation infrastructure in the affected areas to inspect for possible damage. These temporary shutdowns could cause minor disruptions, but services are expected to resume swiftly if no damage is detected. Utility outages may occur, particularly near the epicentres of the earthquakes.
Despite the relatively high magnitude of the later quake, a regionwide tsunami warning has not been issued. However, authorities have indicated minor sea-level fluctuations are possible in coastal areas near the epicentre.
These seismic events underscore the need for rigorous monitoring in the Gulf of Aden. Earthquakes in this region could potentially trigger tsunamis and other secondary hazards with far-reaching consequences. Scientists and researchers are closely observing the situation, gathering data, and assessing the aftermath of the earthquakes.