Minor 3.3-Magnitude Earthquake Recorded in Fujairah’s Safad

Fujairah, UAE – A small earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in the Safad area of Fujairah on Friday, August 22, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The seismic activity, which occurred at 12:35 pm UAE time, had a shallow depth of 2.3 kilometers. The NCM clarified that the tremor was not strong enough to be felt by residents and caused no effects or damage within the country.

This tremor comes just a day after a minor earthquake of 2.2 magnitude struck Oman’s Madha region in the early hours of Thursday. Earlier this month, a light earthquake measuring 3.5 also occurred in Al Sila, which was slightly felt by people in the region but had no notable consequences. On August 5, Khor Fakkan recorded a magnitude 2 quake that was also felt mildly before it subsided without any impact.

Although the UAE is not located in a high-risk earthquake zone, occasional tremors are registered due to its proximity to the Zagros mountain range — one of the most seismically active areas in the Middle East. Experts explain that seismic events in Iran and Iraq often trigger mild tremors in the UAE, particularly across the Northern Emirates.

“These tremors are generally weak and harmless, but they are natural outcomes of regional seismic activity,” officials at the NCM have previously stated.

The UAE authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely through the National Seismic Network to ensure timely updates for public awareness.

Source: National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) / Khaleej Times reports