A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.5 hit the Afar region, Ethiopia, at 18:53 UTC (21:53 LT) on March 16, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Nearly a month after satellites detected massive methane plumes spewing from Ethiopia’s Mount Fentale on January 31, 2025, new data shows emissions have declined since February 9—yet ongoing seismic unrest, including a magnitude 6.0 earthquake on February 14, keeps scientists and locals on high alert.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit near Fentale volcano, Ethiopia at 20:28 UTC on February 14, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Ethiopia’s southern Afar and northern Oromia regions are experiencing an ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis that has injured two people, displaced over 60 000 residents, and caused extensive infrastructure damage since December 22, 2024.
The increase in seismic activity has prompted the relocation of approximately 80 000 residents to safer areas in Ethiopia’s Afar and Oromia regions.
