The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) has said that seismic activity at Harrat Al-Shaqa lava fields has declined with only one tremor of 3.08 on the Richter scale and other weak tremors of less than three recorded in the last 24 hours. The SGS said that no emissions had been detected and that temperatures were normal, indicating that the area is returning to stability. The SGS is continuing to closely monitor a notable increase in the concentration of Radon gas in the fields. Meanwhile, experts in the region of Al-Eis have drilled 100 meters into the ground to assess subterranean water temperatures as authorities try to gauge the likelihood of a recurrence of earth tremors. Dr. Ahmed Al-Attas, vice president of the Saudi Geological Survey, said that the next five days would determine whether residents of the region would be able to return to their homes. “The abatement of tremors over the last two days,” Al-Attas said, “could signify a return to stability, but could equally suggest that stronger tremors are on the way.” “In the case of a volcanic eruption the lava will not flow beyond a radius of 40 km,” Al-Attas said. He added that a further 24 camps to shelter evacuees from Omluj had been set up. Meanwhile, the Education Department in Yanbu has transferred all the staff and pupils from a high school in the tremor-hit town of Al-Eis to alternative premises in Yanbu. Muhammad Farraj Bakheet, Education Department Director in Yanbu, said the transfer of the entire Ghaznawi High School was taken “because of the critical phase of education” pupils were in at the school. “Their education might be affected if they were integrated into other schools in Yanbu,” Bakheet said. In Al-Eis, residents have called on Madina Health Affairs to reopen Al-Eis Hospital following the abatement of seismic activity in the area. Particular concern has been expressed for kidney dialysis patients whose only other option for treatment is in Yanbu over 200 km away. Residents of towns and villages in the area that were not forced to evacuate say they also require services not provided by health centers and are unable to travel the more than 400-km round trip to Yanbu. Abdul Rahman Saeedi, Yanbu health Director of Health Affairs in Yanbu said the Al-Nakhal Center was equipped with 50 beds to receive cases coming from Al
