Afro Insight News – A magnitude 4.9 earthquake was recorded in Ethiopia on Sunday, October 26, 2025, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor struck at a shallow depth near Debre Birhan, about 39 kilometers east of Addis Ababa, and was felt across the capital and nearby towns.
Residents in several parts of Addis Ababa, including Bole, Yeka, and Akaki, reported feeling the ground gently shaking for a few seconds around midday. No major damage or casualties have been reported so far.
Seismologists explain that this quake is part of a broader pattern of tectonic movement along the East African Rift System, where the African and Somali tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart a process that has shaped Ethiopia’s highlands and volcanic landscape for millions of years. The Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions remain among the most seismically active and vulnerable zones in the country.
Earlier in March 2025, a stronger magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Dofen Volcano in the Afar Region, highlighting Ethiopia’s growing need for earthquake preparedness and urban resilience planning.
Experts say such moderate quakes rarely cause major destruction but serve as reminders of the country’s geological dynamics. Authorities are encouraging citizens to stay calm, review safety measures, and follow updates from official sources like the Ethiopian Geophysical Observatory and USGS.
