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Ethiopia: Earthquakes - Jan 2025

Disaster description

The Fentale volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift has seen increased seismic activity since October 2024. In late December 2024, earthquake frequency spiked with several magnitude 5 events, accompanied by the opening of steam vents (releasing steam and gases from underground). This surge is believed to be linked to magma movement, though it’s uncertain whether an eruption will occur and from which volcano or vent—in Fentale, Dofen, or a new location. Between 4 and 6 January, over 20 earthquakes have struck the Awash Fentale area, with the strongest, a magnitude 5.8, occurring on January 4 near the Dofen mountains. This tremor caused significant damage to the Kesem Sugar Factory, highlighting the destructive potential of the ongoing seismic activity. Approximately 80,000 people are affected across the two regions—60,000 in Afar and 20,000 in Oromia—and many residents are uncertain about the appropriate actions to take. About 30,000 people have already relocated, and the government is working to evacuate another 50,000 people. There is an urgent need for the provision of food and water trucking to meet the immediate needs of the displaced population. Three relocation sites have been identified in the Awash district: Daido, Asbole Boda, and Medala; four sites in Dulecha district: Garrayto, Hadale Abur, Gudili, and Daido; and eight sites in Oromia: Tututi, Turo, Gidara, Alge, Galcha, Fateledi, Sarawayba and Matahara town. The government is considering reducing the number of sites. No casualties have been reported; however, significant damage has occurred to infrastructure, including homes, health centers, schools and roads. Widening fissures are affecting several roads and there are concerns about the nearby Kesam/Sabure Dam. Although it is designed to withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 5.6, it holds a significant volume of water, and any failure could result in catastrophic flooding downstream, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Scientific assessments are ongoing, but predictions remain uncertain. The cumulative impact of these earthquakes underscores the need for urgent measures to assess and address the vulnerability of local infrastructure. (OCHA, 6 Jan 2025)

Seismic activity continues across parts of Afar and Oromia, particularly in Awash and Dulecha districts. Between 8 and 10 January, 18 earthquakes, ranging from 4.4 to 5.3 in magnitude, have been recorded, bringing the total number of tremors to about 50 in the past week. The strongest, a magnitude 5.8, occurring at a depth of 10km, on 4 January, near the Dofen mountains. Its effects were felt as far away as the capital city, Addis Ababa. [...] In Afar, local authorities report that 51,456 people have been registered and partially evacuated to two designated sites. In Oromia, authorities note that around 20,325 individuals have moved from the Fentale district to 11 informal IDPs sites, including schools and other facilities. Evacuating pastoralist communities is particularly challenging due to their concerns about abandoning their livestock, which are vital to their livelihoods, as well as the potential disruption of their communal connections. In some cases, heads of households are staying behind to care for their property. Movement continues, and all sites are still receiving IDPs. (OCHA, 10 Jan 2025)

The intense seismic activity that has been affecting the southern Afar and northern Oromia regions, near the Fentale and the Dofan volcanoes in the Main Ethiopian Rift, continues. About 50 earthquakes of magnitude 4.2 to 5.8 have been recorded between 4 and 10 January 2025; the most recent one, of 5.2 M, was reported on 11 January at 00:19 UTC (03:19 local time) at a depth of 10 km, approximately 160 km north-eastern of Addis Ababa. According to UN OCHA, as of 11 January, at least two people have been injured by the seismic activity, more than 60,000 people have been evacuated, including 51,456 registered and partially evacuated in Afar and 20,325 in Oromia, and emergency shelters have been set up. Significant damage has also been recorded, with 16 schools severely damaged, and 21 partially. (ECHO, 13 Jan 2025)

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