Epicentre of quake traced to the south of Ras Al Khaimah

Al Ain: The earthquake that hit Ras Al Khaimah and its surrounding areas on Thursday evening measured a magnitude of 4.6 on the Richter scale, said experts, adding that it occurred some 10km (6.2 miles) in the earth.

The quake hit the area at around 7.45pm, forcing people to come out in the streets. It occurred in the fault zone.

According to Dr Fares Howari, an expert in the Department of Geology at the UAE University, scientists have identified three fault zones in the UAE. These zones are located near Dibba, between Bidyah and Jebel Salhal, and Wadi Ham.

The United States Geological Survey (USGU) said the epicentre of the quake was some 35km from Ras Al Khaimah toward the south east and some 50km from Fujairah toward the north-west.

Different data

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre has a little different information and data that says it was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake that occurred some 30km in depth. The experts at the UAE University have been analysing the seismic activity in the region.

The northern emirates in the UAE have experienced earthquakes several times in recent years since March 1999. An earthquake struck the area on the morning of March 3, 1999, and was followed by another similar tremor on the night of March 11.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale in March 2002 struck Masafi in the northern emirates.

The major concern in the UAE, said Dr Howari, comes from the seismic activity in the Zagros earthquake belt in western Iran. Iran has a history of earthquakes and a major fault line, known as the Zagros belt, passes through southern Iran.