RIYADH, 11 June 2004 — A mild earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale in a desert area in northern Saudi Arabia yesterday caused minimal damage, according to scientists.
Ali Al-Ghamdi of the Dhahran-based King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) said the tremor is a “normal event in the northern region due to its proximity to the Gulf of Aqaba, which stands on a fault.”
Al-Ghamdi said the tremors usually cause minor damage such as cracks in old buildings and streets as well as in old oil and water pipelines. It was not immediately known whether any damage has been caused by the Thursday’s tremor.
“No major earthquakes are expected in the region,” he added.
A scientist at Riyadh’s King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) said more than 40 digital monitoring stations around the Kingdom measure the intensity of the earth’s movements and aftershocks.
KACST identifies northern Saudi Arabia as an earthquake-prone area. Saudi Arabia is rarely hit by earthquakes except in areas like Tabuk, Haql, Abha, Khamis Mushayat and Baha.
Earthquake monitoring stations under the Saudi Arabian National Digital Seismographic Network (SANDSN) project include early warning systems to monitor seismic activities, with a network of seven stations in the Makkah area alone to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The last earthquake in the Kingdom, in 1995, was reported to have caused some destruction in Tabuk.
