The United States Geological Survey reported a magnitude 4.7 quake in Ethiopia near Āwash, Āfar, only 26 minutes ago. The earthquake hit early morning on Friday, January 3rd, 2025, at 4:34 am local time at a shallow depth of 10 km.
The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
Our monitoring service identified a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) which listed the quake at magnitude 5.0. A third agency, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported the same quake at magnitude 4.7.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
n Āwash (pop. 36,500) located 15 km from the epicenter, and Metehara (pop. 23,400) 21 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Gelemso (pop. 16,100) located 45 km from the epicenter, and Bedēsa (pop. 17,500) 74 km away.
Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Āsbe Teferī (pop. 30,800) located 87 km from the epicenter, and Nazrēt (pop. 214,000) 99 km away.
Source: Volcano discovery
