Jordan | Seismic Observatory reveals why Jordanians feel Syrian earthquakes

2024-08-16 2024-08-16T15:32:58Z

Arab Weather - The head of the Jordanian Seismological Observatory, Engineer Ghassan Sweidan, confirmed that the earthquakes that recently hit Syria occurred 350 kilometers from the capital, Amman, noting that they were felt in Jordan due to the geographical proximity to the area of the event.

Why do Jordanians feel the Syrian earthquakes?

In a statement to the media on Friday, Suwaidan explained that the earthquakes in Syria are the result of active tectonic faults, noting that the Syrian Hama region has witnessed several moderate, non-destructive earthquakes in the past, making it a seismic zone. He added that the Jordanian Seismological Observatory had previously recorded several earthquakes in the region, in addition to those that occurred last week and Friday morning.

Suwaidan also pointed out that the observatory recorded 13 aftershocks whose effects did not reach Jordan, as they were only detected by highly sensitive seismic devices.

Warnings and preventive measures in Jordan due to earthquakes in the region

Regarding warnings and preventive measures in Jordan, Suwaidan called on citizens to take precautions when an earthquake occurs, and recommended following the Public Security Directorate’s instructions, such as not leaving the house during an earthquake, staying away from hanging objects, turning off electricity meters and gas, and not moving while the ground is shaking. He also advised sitting under tables and using a pillow to protect the head, avoiding passing through tunnels or over bridges, staying away from tall buildings, and not using elevators.

Regarding the possibility of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake tragedy being repeated in 2023, Suwaidan confirmed that there is no relationship between it and the recent earthquakes in Hama, explaining that the Kahramanmaraş earthquake was the result of a collisional movement between the Dead Sea Fault and the East Anatolian Fault.