Earthquakes Near GERD Raise Concerns
Ethiopia has experienced a series of earthquakes in recent weeks, raising concerns about the potential impact on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Thursday, December 28th, 2024, at 6:28 PM Cairo time, located in the Ethiopian Rift Valley, 150 km east of Addis Ababa and 600 km from the GERD.
This latest tremor follows two other earthquakes on December 21st and 23rd, 2024, with magnitudes of 4.4 and 4.6 respectively, in the same location. These incidents contribute to a total of 41 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater in Ethiopia and surrounding areas this year.
The Heightened Earthquake Activity in Ethiopia
Professor Abbas Sharaqi, a geologist and water resources expert, shared this information on his Facebook page. He highlighted that this year has witnessed an unprecedented number of earthquakes, surpassing the annual average of around 5 recorded before the GERD began filling in 2020. In 2023 alone, Ethiopia experienced 38 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater, with the strongest reaching 5.2 in October.
GERD and its Geological Impact
Professor Sharaqi emphasizes that the GERD, currently holding 60 billion cubic meters of water, exerts considerable weight on the geologically unstable Ethiopian crust due to the African Rift Valley running through the country. This makes the region highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Potential Risks to GERD
While the recent earthquakes have had minimal direct impact on the GERD due to their distance and relatively weak magnitude, Professor Sharaqi cautions that a stronger earthquake closer to the dam could pose a significant risk.
He cites the example of a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred just 100 km from the GERD in May 2023. He warns that the recurrence of stronger earthquakes, especially after the dam reaches full capacity, could turn it into a "potential explosive water bomb" during the flood season (July-September).
Call to Action: Stay Informed
It is crucial to stay informed about seismic activity near the GERD and its potential implications. Continued monitoring and research are essential to mitigate the risks associated with this infrastructure project.