Earthquakes Hit Ethiopia: Geologist Links Them to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

16 February 2025, 6:23 AM

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Prime Minister Office Ethiopia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Abbas Sharaki, a professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, revealed that Ethiopia has experienced unprecedented seismic activity over the past two months, with the region registering 179 earthquakes ranging from 4.2 to 6 on the Richter scale. He pointed out that this number greatly exceeds the annual average for earthquakes in Ethiopia, which is typically just four per year.

Sharaki explained that the most recent earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6, was the strongest in the area in 64 years, signaling a significant change in the region’s geological activity.

The Link Between the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Earthquakes

Sharaki noted that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) might be one of the factors contributing to this seismic activity, explaining that the large-scale water storage in the dam’s reservoir could be affecting the geological pressure in the region. He clarified that the earthquakes recorded occurred 500–600 kilometers from the dam, a distance that does not pose an immediate risk to it, unless the earthquakes get closer or their magnitude exceeds 6.5 on the Richter scale.

Impact of Seismic and Volcanic Activity

Sharaki pointed out that the repeated earthquakes in Ethiopia have caused cracks and fissures that have affected infrastructure, including roads and the railway line connecting Ethiopia to Djibouti. He also mentioned that the seismic activity has triggered limited activity at the “Dofen” volcano on January 3, where gas, steam, rocks, water, and mud were observed being released.

As a result of this activity, Ethiopian authorities evacuated around 80,000 people from nearby areas on January 7, fearing further increases in seismic or volcanic activity.

Concerns About Nearby Dams and Flooding Risks

Sharaki confirmed that one of the smaller nearby dams, the “Kisim” Dam, located 20 kilometers from the center of the most recent earthquake, could also be affected by the escalating seismic activity in the region, raising concerns about the stability of the area’s water infrastructure.

The Egyptian expert also warned that continued water storage in the GERD, combined with the increasing seismic activity, could lead to serious scenarios such as massive flooding in the event of any structural damage to the dam.