Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is located in Asia and has a Low seismic risk classification. A total of 0 earthquakes have been recorded in the country's seismic history. With a population of 35,300,280 and a land area of 2,149,690 km², seismic events can have significant implications for infrastructure and public safety.
Seismic Overview
Saudi Arabia's seismicity is concentrated in its western and northern regions, associated with the Red Sea rift system and the Harrat volcanic fields. The Red Sea is an actively spreading ocean basin, and the Hijaz and Asir ranges along Saudi Arabia's western coast are the uplifted shoulders of this rift. Active normal [[fault]]s parallel to the Red Sea coast produce moderate earthquakes and contribute to the hazard in the Hejaz region, including near Mecca and Medina. The Harrat volcanic fields — large lava plateaus in northwestern Saudi Arabia including Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, and Harrat Lunayyir — are fed by active magmatic systems that generate both volcanic earthquakes and tectonic events associated with dyke intrusion. In 2009, a swarm of over 30,000 earthquakes at Harrat Lunayyir preceded what seismologists interpreted as an incipient volcanic eruption that was averted by evacuation and careful monitoring.
Saudi Arabia's seismic history includes the 1915 Hejaz earthquake, the 1941 Al-Qunfudhah earthquake (magnitude 6.8), and numerous events associated with the Harrat volcanic fields. The 2009 Harrat Lunayyir earthquake swarm produced a magnitude 5.7 mainshock and caused the evacuation of Al-Ays town. Aqaba Gulf events — including the 1995 Gulf of Aqaba earthquake (magnitude 7.2) that killed 12 people in southern Saudi Arabia — demonstrate the hazard associated with the northward extension of the Red Sea rift system. Eastern Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh and the oil-producing Eastern Province, sits on the stable Arabian Platform interior and experiences much lower hazard, though [[seismic-wave]]s from distant Zagros earthquakes are occasionally felt.
The tectonic setting of Saudi Arabia involves the progressive rifting of the Arabian Plate from the African Plate as the Red Sea spreads wider. This rifting began approximately 30 million years ago and continues today at roughly 15–20 millimetres per year along the main Red Sea rift axis. The Arabian Plate is not only rifting from Africa but also rotating slightly, with the northern end opening into the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. The Jordan-Dead Sea rift system continues the tectonic boundary northward through Jordan and into Lebanon and Syria. The Harrat volcanic fields are fed by mantle upwelling associated with the rifting, creating a unique combination of volcanic and tectonic seismic hazard in western Saudi Arabia that requires ongoing monitoring by the Saudi Geological Survey.
Recent Earthquakes
| Mag | Location | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No recent earthquakes. | |||
Notable Historical Events
Earthquakes Near Major Cities in Saudi Arabia
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia has a low level of seismic activity. Large earthquakes are infrequent but not impossible. A total of 0 earthquakes have been recorded in Saudi Arabia's seismic history.
Saudi Arabia has had 0 recorded earthquakes. This count includes events of all magnitudes detected by seismic monitoring networks. The actual number of earthquakes may be higher, as smaller events can go undetected.
Saudi Arabia is classified in the "Low" seismic zone, located in Asia. Seismic zones indicate the relative level of earthquake hazard based on historical activity, geological conditions, and proximity to tectonic plate boundaries.
During an earthquake, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get under a sturdy desk or table, protect your head and neck, and hold on until shaking stops. Move away from windows and heavy objects. After the earthquake, check for injuries and be prepared for aftershocks.
Country earthquake risk is assessed using several factors: proximity to tectonic plate boundaries, historical seismicity (frequency and magnitude of past events), geological conditions, population density in seismic zones, and building code enforcement. QuakeFYI assigns seismic zones from 0 (no risk) to 4 (very high) based on these factors.
A seismic zone is a geographic area classified by the level of earthquake hazard. Zone 0 has negligible risk, Zone 1 has low risk, Zone 2 has moderate risk, Zone 3 has high risk, and Zone 4 has very high risk. These zones are determined by historical earthquake data, tectonic setting, and geological conditions.
Countries along the Pacific Ring of Fire experience the most earthquakes. Japan, Indonesia, Chile, the Philippines, and Iran consistently record the highest seismic activity. The United States (especially Alaska and California), Turkey, and Mexico are also among the most seismically active nations.
Population density amplifies earthquake risk because more people and infrastructure are exposed to potential damage. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in a densely populated city can cause thousands of casualties, while the same event in an uninhabited area may cause none. Building codes and emergency preparedness greatly reduce risk in populated areas.
Seismic density measures the concentration of earthquake activity relative to a country's land area, expressed as earthquakes per 1,000 square kilometers. A high seismic density indicates frequent earthquake activity per unit area, helping compare seismic risk between countries of different sizes.