UAE's National Centre of Meteorology Detects Minor Earthquake Off Fujairah Coast

A minor earthquake, measuring 2.3 on the Richter scale, was recorded off the coast of Fujairah on Wednesday evening. The UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed that the seismic activity was detected at 8.06pm, approximately 5km deep, south of Khor Fakkan. This event marks the latest in a series of small tremors monitored by the NCM through its National Seismic Network, which covers earthquake activity across the country.

This tremor follows a 1.6-magnitude quake off the coast of Dibba on October 16, and a 3.0-magnitude quake in Dibba on August 18. Previously, a 2.8-magnitude tremor struck Masafi on June 8. Earthquakes are categorized on a scale where tremors measuring five or above are considered “strong”. Both Wednesday's quake and the October tremor fall into the minor category, posing minimal risk to residents and infrastructure.

While seismic events are relatively uncommon in the UAE and Oman, tremors linked to larger earthquakes in the broader region, particularly from Iran, are recorded more frequently. The UAE's geographical location near several active fault lines in the Gulf and Indian Ocean region means that low-level seismic activity is an occasional occurrence rather than a significant concern.