UAE residents feel slight tremor after mild earthquake hits Khor Fakkan

Earthquake

A small 2.0-magnitude earthquake was felt in the UAE’s eastern region on Tuesday evening

 

Did you feel that?

A minor earthquake, just enough to make you pause mid-scroll or glance up from dinner, was recorded in the UAE on Tuesday, August 5.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the quake struck Khor Fakkan at precisely 8.35pm UAE time, registering a magnitude of 2.0 on the Richter scale.

The tremor, while mild, was indeed slightly felt by some residents in the area, though there’s absolutely no cause for concern. The NCM has confirmed that the event had no effect on daily life or infrastructure.

The quake struck at a depth of 5 kilometres, which helps explain why it was felt at the surface but didn’t result in any damage or disruption.

In geological terms, this is a relatively shallow depth, and quakes at this range can sometimes cause light shaking, just enough to be noticed, especially in quieter settings.

The NCM shared an official image pinpointing the location of the tremor near Khor Fakkan, a coastal enclave on the UAE’s east coast, framed by the Hajar Mountains and known for its natural beauty and dramatic landscapes.

 

Is this normal for the UAE?

While the UAE isn’t considered an earthquake-prone region, mild tremors like these do happen from time to time, particularly in or near the Hajar Mountain region.

These are usually due to tectonic activity along nearby fault lines, and they’re carefully monitored by local authorities like the NCM.

So if you felt a strange little shake last night, now you know. And if you didn’t? No worries, this one came and went without fuss.

As always, the NCM continues to monitor seismic activity around the country and promptly shares updates via official channels.

You can also download the NCM app or follow their social media to stay informed of any future tremors or weather-related alerts.

 

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Image credit Canva

Shane Reynolds

Shane Reynolds is a seasoned journalist with over 10 years of media experience. He began his career in Ireland as Deputy Editor of the Roscommon People, where he led multiple sections and wrote a weekly sports page. After freelancing for national titles, he moved to the UAE and spent seven years teaching English at top international schools. In 2022, Shane returned to journalism, joining Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life. Now Deputy Editor, he brings strong editorial expertise, a passion for storytelling, and a deep understanding of both Irish and UAE audiences to one of Abu Dhabi’s leading lifestyle publications.