Saudi Earth Sciences Society: Egypt Earthquake Poses No Threat to Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Earth Sciences Society has confirmed that the 5.3-magnitude earthquake that struck north of Suez in Egypt poses no danger to Saudi Arabia, stressing that the tremor falls within the region’s normal seismic activity and does not indicate any unusual geological threat to the Kingdom.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Amri, President of the Saudi Earth Sciences Society, explained that Saudi Arabia had previously experienced the effects of the 1995 Gulf of Aqaba earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and was significantly stronger than the recent event, yet did not pose an exceptional risk to the Kingdom.

Why Was the Earthquake Felt Across Several Countries?

According to Al-Amri, the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, allowing seismic waves to travel long distances.

This explains why residents across Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and parts of northwestern Saudi Arabia were able to feel the tremor.

He added that Cairo’s location on a large sedimentary basin amplified the seismic waves, making the shaking more noticeable over a wider geographical area.

Three Major Seismic Belts Meet in the Region

Al-Amri noted that the earthquake occurred in one of the Middle East’s most geologically complex regions, where the Gulf of Aqaba, the Gulf of Suez, and the Red Sea seismic systems converge.

He explained that the Gulf of Suez is generally less seismically active than the Gulf of Aqaba because its earthquakes are primarily caused by tectonic plate divergence rather than major strike-slip faults, which typically generate stronger earthquakes.

Does the Earthquake Threaten Saudi Arabia?

The society emphasized that the most seismically active area within Saudi Arabia is the northwestern region near the Gulf of Aqaba.

For this reason, strict compliance with Saudi seismic building codes and geological assessments remains essential for infrastructure projects in that area.

However, Al-Amri stressed that the majority of the Kingdom enjoys high geological stability, with no indications of elevated seismic risk.

Is There Any Tsunami Risk?

Al-Amri ruled out the possibility of a tsunami resulting from the recent earthquake, explaining that the Gulf of Suez has no historical record of tsunami generation because its geological fault system lacks the characteristics required to produce such waves.

He added that minor aftershocks may occur in the coming days, but they are expected to remain weak and pose no significant threat.

Geological Survey: Situation Under Continuous Monitoring

The Saudi Geological Survey also confirmed that seismic activity in the Red Sea is a natural consequence of the ongoing movement of tectonic plates.

The authority stated that the National Seismic Monitoring Network continuously tracks earthquakes around the clock using advanced monitoring systems and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information while avoiding rumors and misinformation.