NYN | News
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck the coastal areas of the Aden and Abyan governorates early this morning, at 3:20 AM, according to data from regional and international seismic monitoring centers.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located 45 kilometers off the coast, marking the closest event of its kind to the region in decades.
While there have been no reports of material or human damage so far, the event has raised questions about its potential connection to the effects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which geologists have warned could have significant consequences on the geological stability of the region.
They previously explained that massive dams, like the GERD, can alter tectonic pressures due to the weight of the stored water, which increases the likelihood of seismic activity in neighboring areas, especially those located on seismic fault lines.
Dr. Omar Farah, an environmental specialist, pointed out that the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions are seismically active, and large human interventions, such as dams, could act as indirect triggers for earthquakes, even if they are not the direct cause.
This earthquake comes at a time when the region is experiencing political tensions surrounding the GERD crisis, amid warnings that the hydrological and geological changes resulting from the dam may threaten many countries, particularly the downstream nations.
