An earthquake hit the UAE today

A small earthquake hit the UAE earlier today, measuring up to 2.2 on the Richter scale. 

The quake was recorded in the UAE’s Masafi at 3.02pm on Monday, August 16, according to the UAE’s  National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The UAE is hit with minor earthquakes often throughout the year, with rarely any cause for worry. No damage or injuries have been recorded.

Back in May, two earthquakes were recorded on the same day, including a  3.1 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale on recorded at 4:54 am on May 24. The second one that followed a few hours later was 2.3 on the Richter scale, and was recorded at 7:24 am.

The NCM said that the quakes were at a depth of 5km, and residents of the area felt the earthquake. Thankfully, no damage or injuries were recorded.

Why did this happen? According to the NCM, the tremors were caused by earth faults in the region, and are totally normal.

Minor tremors are felt in the UAE regularly when earthquakes hit areas such as the Oman sea, which had an earthquake that was felt in the country back in January.

A seismology expert spoke to the Khaleej Times recently, stating that UAE residents have no reason to worry about earthquakes such as these, which have been occurring with regularity. 

“Earthquakes have been happening in Dibba, Masafi, Khor Fakkan city, Oman Sea opposite Fujairah city and Kalba over the past 10 years. This is because of the movement of local fault in these areas,” Khamis Elshamsi, director of Seismology at the NCM, told the Khaleej Times.

“The tremors that usually strike the UAE are relatively minor with a magnitude of between 2 to 5 and have no big effect. People here don’t have to worry.”