January 4, 2025 Earthquake: Afar, Oromia, Amahara, Ethiopia

Note: effects listed from seismic swarm not just 04 Jan 2025 magnitude 5.7 Mw event.

Reference #13964:

The Fentale volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift has seen increased seismic activity. In late December 2024, earthquake frequency spiked with several magnitudes, accompanied by the opening of steam vents (releasing steam and gases from underground). 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 community shelters, social services, 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.

Approximately 99,000 people are affected across the three regions, 60,000 in Afar and 20,000 in Oromia and 9,000 in Amahara, and many residents are uncertain about the appropriate actions to take. About 70,000 people have already relocated, and the government is working to evacuate another almost 30,000 people.

2 casualties have been reported and several minor injuries; however, significant damage has occurred to infrastructure, including homes, health centers, schools and roads amid the evolution of the cholera epidemics, currently affecting Awash River valley.

Total of 2139 Household (9995 People) are reported directly affected and displaced. More than 360 Houses reported damaged, 908 hectors of farmland and 23 Km of roads also damaged. The continuous tremors and widened fissures are affecting several roads and there are concerns about the nearby Kesam/Sabure Dam and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway. Although the Dam 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.