Al Ain: Seismologists have recorded slight seismic activity in the northern emirates as five minor earthquakes have hit the area near Hatta, Kalba and Fujairah this month.
Radio 2: Nasreen Abdulla reports on the earthquakes that have hit the UAE
* Audio supplied by Radio 2
Saying the event is not significant enough or worrisome, the seismologists confirm some activity has been taking place in or close to the UAE's own fault zone. The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) has also recorded five minor quakes in the area.
The first earthquake this month was recorded on February 7. It was of magnitude 2.5 on the Richter scale and its epicentre was some 26km in the south of Fujairah.
Minor jolt
On the same day, another quake of the same magnitude occurred some 28km in the south of the city. Both the quakes were close to the surface of the earth with depths of 5.8km and 5.1km, respectively.
They were followed by another minor jolt in the area on February 18. This time it was of magnitude 2.4 at a similar depth. Its epicentre was some 31km in the south of Fujairah. On the very next day, February 19, came a little stronger earthquake of magnitude 3 on the Richter scale at a more shallow depth of just 1.9km in the same area. On Sunday night, another earthquake of magnitude 2 on the Richter scale occurred in north of Fujairah but this time it was some 20km deep inside the earth.
Abdullah Saleh, a UAE geologist, said the earthquakes were minor as per the available details and would have gone largely unnoticed by the general public. "It's not unusual since the earth is dynamic and thousands of earthquakes have been taking place all over the world," he said.
Fault zone
The scientists have identified a fault zone in the northern emirates and it is being constantly monitored by the UAE authorities. "Such small earthquakes are indeed good and did not let the stress accumulate at a certain point," he said. Saleh said people should not worry about these minor events.
He said a large portion of the UAE is outside the active seismic area but some parts of the northern emirates are located within technically active areas. The northern emirates are situated on a body of continental rock that forms the Arabian Platform.
Zagros quake belt
The emirates also have three local fault zones that are located near Dibba, between Bidyah and Jebel Salhal, and Wadi Ham. The area has experienced several earthquakes since March 1999.
Seismologists say that the UAE is located close to the world's major earthquake zone.
The country's major concern, however, comes from the seismic activity in the Zagros earthquake belt in western Iran.
Iran has a history of earthquakes and a major fault line. The Zagros fault line passes through southern Iran. The UAE has experienced many shockwaves of earthquakes from the neighbouring countries since 1999.
