5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Syria, Tremors Felt Across Multiple Countries

On August 12, 2024, at approximately 23:56 local time, a significant earthquake struck the Hama region of Syria, with tremors felt across Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey. The magnitude of the earthquake was reported variously between 4.8 and 5.5 by different seismological centers. The Syrian National Center for Earthquakes reported a magnitude of 5.5, while the Jordan Seismological Observatory recorded it as 5.4.The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the eastern part of Hama province, Syria, with a depth ranging from 7 to 19.38 kilometers. The tremors were felt as far as 350 kilometers away in Amman, Jordan. Cities affected included Gaziantep and Hatay in Turkey, Beirut and Tripoli in Lebanon, and various locations across Syria.Dr. Raed Ahmad, head of the Syrian National Center for Earthquakes, confirmed the event, stating, “The earthquake reached a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale and struck east of Hama at 11:56 PM local time”. The tremors caused panic among residents, with many evacuating their homes and taking to the streets. A local resident in Gaziantep, Turkey, reported, “Those who felt the earthquake left their homes in fear and took to the streets”.Despite the widespread alarm, there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant material damage. However, the Syrian Civil Defense, operating in opposition-controlled areas, deployed personnel to respond to potential emergencies.This earthquake has evoked memories of the devastating tremor that struck northern Syria and southern Turkey in February 2023, which resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. The recent event serves as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability and the importance of earthquake preparedness.

Key points

• A 4.

8-5.

5 magnitude earthquake struck Syria’s Hama region on August 12, 2024.

• Tremors were felt across Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey, causing panic but no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
• The earthquake has evoked memories of the devastating 2023 tremor in the region, highlighting the area’s seismic vulnerability.

Contradictions👾There are discrepancies in the reported magnitude of the earthquake, ranging from 4.

8 to 5.

5, depending on the seismological center.

👾The depth of the earthquake was reported differently, ranging from 7 to 19.

38 kilometers.