JEDDAH — A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the middle of the Red Sea on Thursday morning, according to spokesman of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS). Tariq Aba Al-Khail, the spokesman, said: "Praise be to God; the Saudi borders were not affected by this earthquake." He elaborated that the stations of the National Seismic Monitoring Network at the Geological Hazards Center monitored this morning at 6:52: 29, an earthquake that felt in the middle of the Red Sea, with a seismic magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter scale, and a depth of 32 kilometers. Aba Al-Khail attributed this earthquake to the fault in the Red Sea, which represents the western border of the Arabian tectonic plate and its divergence from the African tectonic plate. According to studies, the seismic situation in general in the Kingdom ranges from 'weak' to 'moderate,' which is a reassuring situation. The SGS continuously carries out seismic risk assessment studies. It also conducts detailed studies in the proposed sites for building major strategic development projects in the Kingdom in order to design earthquake-resistant buildings on the basis of the Saudi Building Code. The SGS undertakes activities related to various earth sciences, including geological survey work, mineral exploration, and conducting research and studies related to earth sciences, such as monitoring earthquakes, studying volcanoes, and the risks resulting from torrents, floods, and mining waste. It also undertakes full supervision of the network, following up on relevant government stations, notifying them officially of seismic events, and providing an information base for all Saudi universities and research centers in an immediate and continuous manner. The SGS has established a number of seismic stations equipped with the latest equipment to capture the smallest earthquakes that occur in seismically active areas. It also continuously evaluates volcanic dangers in the Kingdom by conducting volcanic movement studies and preparing continuously the necessary reports and maps for the areas that are under studies.
