A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck near Metehara, Oromia, Ethiopia, late Sunday evening, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), considered one of the key international agencies that monitor seismic activity worldwide. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km beneath the epicenter in the evening on Sunday, December 29th, 2024, at 8:10 pm local time.
The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) independently assessed the quake at magnitude 4.9.
While significant damage is unlikely, minor tremors, such as falling objects or broken windows, may have occurred. Light shaking was potentially experienced in several towns, including Metehara, Awash, Debre Birhan, Adama, Abomesa, Mojo, Bishoftu, and even Addis Ababa.
Reports of ground shaking are also emerging from Addis Ababa, though details on this event are still pending confirmation. More accurate data will become available as seismologists analyze information from various agencies.