Ethiopia experienced its third earthquake this month, registering a magnitude of 4.7, raising safety concerns about the nearby Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Expert Professor Abbas Sharaqi warned of increased seismic activity, noting the need for vigilant monitoring of the dam’s structural integrity. The region has recorded a significant number of earthquakes this year, highlighting ongoing geological risks.
On Sunday, Ethiopia experienced its third earthquake of the month, registering a magnitude of 4.7 at a depth of 10 kilometers. This seismic event occurred approximately 570 kilometers from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and roughly 400 kilometers from the lake’s eastern border. According to Professor Abbas Sharaqi, a geology and water resources expert at Cairo University, this earthquake marks the 16th in a series of seismic activities within the past five weeks and the 31st recorded this year. In 2023 alone, Ethiopia has documented 38 earthquakes, with the most powerful reaching a magnitude of 5.6. Sharaqi reported to Al-Masry Al-Youm that the recent spike in seismic activity has exceeded expectations, warranting vigilant monitoring of the GERD, which has a storage capacity of 60 billion cubic meters—significantly higher than the original design of 11.1 billion cubic meters. While he noted that the current earthquake’s distance from the GERD suggests no immediate danger, he expressed concerns regarding the potential for stronger quakes to occur closer to the dam, posing a significant risk given the dam’s substantial water storage. In a related sequence of events, two additional earthquakes hit Ethiopia on Saturday, both registering magnitudes of 4.6, adding to the cluster of seismic events that have transpired since late September. The initial earthquake in this series was recorded on September 27, with subsequent tremors frequently occurring in the Ethiopian Rift Valley, which is a seismic hotspot located near the GERD. The geology expert’s warnings highlight the increasing threat posed by these earthquakes, emphasizing the need for heightened scrutiny of the dam’s stability as seismic activities continue to rise in frequency and intensity.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a critical infrastructure project for Ethiopia but presents significant geological risks due to the country’s history of seismic activity. Earthquakes in the region are not uncommon, and with the dam’s capacity greatly exceeding its original design, concerns have emerged regarding its structural integrity under increased seismic stress. Monitoring seismic events is vital to safeguarding the dam and the surrounding areas, given the potential implications of a structural failure.
In summary, Ethiopia’s recent surge in seismic activity raises substantial safety concerns regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. As the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes increase, experts stress the importance of monitoring the dam closely to prevent catastrophic consequences. The situation remains critical, particularly considering the dam’s increased storage capacity, which may exacerbate the impact of future earthquakes.
Original Source: ozarab.media
