Sudan
Sudan is located in Africa 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 51,662,000 and a land area of 1,886,068 km², seismic events can have significant implications for infrastructure and public safety.
Seismic Overview
Sudan's seismic environment is influenced primarily by two tectonic features: the Red Sea spreading centre along its northeastern border, and a series of Mesozoic and Cenozoic rift basins that extend across the country from northwest to southeast. The Red Sea is an active spreading centre where the African (Nubian) plate separates from the Arabian plate, and the seismicity of the northern Red Sea margin affects the northeastern corner of Sudan, particularly the Port Sudan and Suakin coastal areas.
The Khartoum area sits above the transition between the East Saharan Craton and the ancient basement of the Nile Valley, near the junction of the Blue and White Niles. Occasional low-to-moderate [[seismic-wave]] events have been detected in this area. A magnitude 4.5 earthquake in July 2013 was felt in Khartoum and caused minor damage in some poorly constructed buildings.
The Mesozoic rift basins of Sudan — the Muglad, Blue Nile, and Anza basins — were formed as failed rift arms during the Cretaceous breakup of Gondwana. These basins host significant oil deposits in South Sudan and adjacent parts of Sudan. The basin-bounding [[fault]]s can be reactivated under the contemporary stress field, generating occasional moderate earthquakes, but the level of seismicity is low compared to the active rift zones further south.
The Darfur Plateau in western Sudan contains young volcanic features including the Jebel Marra massif, which shows evidence of recent volcanic activity within the last few thousand years. Minor [[seismic-wave]] signals have been associated with this volcanic field. The Tibesti-Darfur corridor connects several intraplate volcanic systems across the Sahara, suggesting a common deep mantle origin for this diffuse magmatic activity.
Historical records for Sudan document no earthquake-related disaster of major consequence. The most significant seismic event affecting Sudan in the modern era was the 1990 magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck near Al Qadarif in eastern Sudan, causing minor damage and felt shaking across the region.
Recent Earthquakes
| Mag | Location | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No recent earthquakes. | |||
Notable Historical Events
Earthquakes Near Major Cities in Sudan
Frequently Asked Questions
Sudan has a low level of seismic activity. Large earthquakes are infrequent but not impossible. A total of 0 earthquakes have been recorded in Sudan's seismic history.
Sudan 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.
Sudan is classified in the "Low" seismic zone, located in Africa. 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.