Addis Ababa: An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale struck the “Metahara” area east of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, today, Wednesday. The earthquake occurred at 2:32 GMT at a depth of 10 km from the surface of the earth.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Ethiopia has recently witnessed a series of successive earthquakes, which have raised increasing concerns about seismic activity in the region. On January 11, 2025, an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck an area east of the capital, Addis Ababa, at a depth of 10 km. This earthquake was followed by other tremors, including two earthquakes of magnitude 4.9 and 4.6 on January 9, 2025, near the cities of Awash and Metahara, respectively, both at a depth of 10 kilometers.

These earthquakes coincide with concerns about possible volcanic activity in the region, especially in the Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions, where a 5.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded on January 4, 2025. These tremors prompted authorities to carry out evacuation operations for residents in the affected areas, in anticipation of any developments that may threaten their safety.

Ethiopia is located within the African Rift Valley, an area that is seismically and volcanically active. This increased geological activity raises questions about its potential impact on infrastructure, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is located in an area that may be affected by earthquakes.