Earthquake in eastern Saudi Arabia? Here’s what we know
Thankfully, it was minor…
Did you feel a slight tremor in eastern Saudi Arabia recently? The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that a 3.35-magnitude earthquake, classed as minor, was detected 85 kilometres east of the city of Al-Jubail on Tuesday (June 10) afternoon.
According to the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), the temblor that struck at 5.12pm has had no impact on the Kingdom.
The SGS detected it through its National Seismic Network stations.
While speaking to a local television channel, Tariq Mansoob, head of the detection centre at SGS, explained that activity along the Arabian and Eurasian plates in the Zagros and Makran mountains in Iran and Pakistan caused the quakes.
The pressure created by this activity resulted in the tremors.
As reported by Saudi Gazette, it is confirmed that the earthquake poses no threat to the Saudi border and that the situation remains safe and under control.
Earthquakes explained: Are they happening often?
Earthquakes in Saudi Arabia are infrequent and usually occur in the western portion of the country near the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aqaba, close to the boundaries of the Arabian Plate.
Mansoob stated that six earthquakes were detected in the Kingdom between March and April, all of which fell within the 3.5 to 4.5 range.
Small quakes are a “good sign”, Mansoob said, because if the pressure continues to build without release, it will ultimately result in a major, potentially devastating quake.
He reassured the public that the minor tremors were not a cause for concern and that Saudi residents could carry on with their normal day, as the larger ones occurred nearer to Iranian shores.
Images: SPA / Unsplash