Shallow M5.5 Earthquake hit 166km from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on Sunday Evening.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 16th, 2025. Last updated March 26th, 2025.

Under land 166 kilometer from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the evening of Sunday March 16th, 2025. Around 35 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Ethiopia, 166 kilometer (103 mi) east-northeast of Addis Ababa. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Mar 16, 2025 09:53PM (Addis Ababa Time) 10 days ago - Mar 16, 2025 18:53 Universal Time.
Location:	166 km ENE of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Coordinates 9°23'39"N 40°12'40"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 32 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.055 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VIII Severe On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 88% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 100% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 35 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 35 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

Severe shaking and likely moderate to heavy damage may have been experienced by an estimated 6,370 people. At VIII, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 26 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Ethiopia , around 35 million people, with impact levels up to VIII (severe shaking, likely moderate to heavy damage). In Djibouti, shaking was experienced too.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
242,500	II	Very weak	None
25,520,000	III	Weak	Probably none
9,221,000	IV	Light	Likely none
29,940	V	Moderate	Very light
13,760	VI	Strong	Light
25,760	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
6,370	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Ethiopia . Located 64 kilometer (40 mi) north-northeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, Metahāra (Oromiya, Ethiopia) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Metahāra is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Addis Ababa is located 166 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Nazrēt is located 140 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Dire Dawa is located 183 km to the east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
64 km (40 mi) SSW from epicenter	Metahāra Oromiya, Ethiopia.	IV Light
70 km (43 mi) NNW from epicenter	Abomsa Amhara, Ethiopia.	IV Light
72 km (45 mi) SSE from epicenter	Gelemso Oromiya, Ethiopia.	IV Light
80 km (50 mi) ESE from epicenter	Āsbe Teferī Oromiya, Ethiopia.	IV Light
81 km (50 mi) WNW from epicenter	Debre Birhan Amhara, Ethiopia.	IV Light
83 km (52 mi) SE from epicenter	Bedēsa Oromiya, Ethiopia.	IV Light
140 km (87 mi) SW from epicenter	Nazrēt Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
146 km (91 mi) SW from epicenter	Wenjī Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
150 km (93 mi) SW from epicenter	Mojo Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
152 km (94 mi) NNW from epicenter	Kemisē Amhara, Ethiopia.	III Weak
153 km (95 mi) WSW from epicenter	Bishoftu Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
166 km (103 mi) WSW from epicenter	Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.	IV Light
168 km (104 mi) WNW from epicenter	Fichē Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
183 km (114 mi) E from epicenter	Dire Dawa Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.	III Weak
183 km (114 mi) WSW from epicenter	Sebeta Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
191 km (119 mi) W from epicenter	Genet Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
194 km (121 mi) NNW from epicenter	Kombolcha Amhara, Ethiopia.	III Weak
201 km (125 mi) N from epicenter	Batī Amhara, Ethiopia.
203 km (126 mi) NNW from epicenter	Desē Amhara, Ethiopia.	III Weak
204 km (127 mi) WNW from epicenter	Gebre Guracha Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
209 km (130 mi) E from epicenter	Harar Harari, Ethiopia.
231 km (144 mi) SW from epicenter	Ziway Oromiya, Ethiopia.	III Weak
248 km (154 mi) SW from epicenter	Butajīra SNNPR, Ethiopia.
250 km (155 mi) WNW from epicenter	Bichena Amhara, Ethiopia.
257 km (160 mi) SSE from epicenter	Ginir Oromiya, Ethiopia.
263 km (163 mi) W from epicenter	Hāgere Hiywet Oromiya, Ethiopia.
265 km (165 mi) WSW from epicenter	Waliso Oromiya, Ethiopia.
266 km (165 mi) S from epicenter	Goba Oromiya, Ethiopia.
277 km (172 mi) NNE from epicenter	Dubti Āfar, Ethiopia.
277 km (172 mi) NNE from epicenter	Asaita Āfar, Ethiopia.
278 km (173 mi) SSW from epicenter	Āsasa Oromiya, Ethiopia.
284 km (176 mi) E from epicenter	Jijiga Somali, Ethiopia.
291 km (181 mi) SSW from epicenter	Dodola Oromiya, Ethiopia.
291 km (181 mi) WNW from epicenter	Debre Mark’os Amhara, Ethiopia.
298 km (185 mi) NNW from epicenter	Robīt Amhara, Ethiopia.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VIII.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 46 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 46 people have reported shaking in 8 places, all within Ethiopia.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Addis Ababa, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia: 39 people.
Amibara, Afar, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Batī, Amhara, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Debre Birhan, Amhara, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Harer, Harar, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Mojo, Oromia, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Sebeta, Oromia, Ethiopia: 1 person.
Sendafa, Oromia, Ethiopia: 1 person.

2 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 2 smaller aftershocks were detected. Just 18 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.4 was detected 14 km (9 mi) north-northeast of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.5	Mar 16, 2025 09:53PM (Addis Ababa Time)	-
Aftershock	M 4.2	2 hrs later Mar 17, 2025 12:20AM (Addis Ababa Time)	31 km (19 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.4	18 hrs later Mar 17, 2025 03:33PM (Addis Ababa Time)	14 km (9 mi) NNE from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since February 14th, 2025, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 60 km (37 mi) further south-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 26/03/25 19:58 (18 hours ago). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.