The Gulf of Suez region witnessed an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale at dawn on Monday, as recorded by the stations of the National Seismic Monitoring Network of the Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy.
In exclusive statements to RT, Dr. Sherif El-Hadi, head of the earthquakes department at the National Research Institute of Astronomy, revealed the geological details of the regional tremor, explaining that the epicenter of the earthquake occurred in the Gulf of Suez region, which is scientifically classified as a sub-tectonic zone that includes active geological faults.
Al-Hadi explained in his statements to RT that the occurrence of such tremors in that region is expected and normal from time to time, and is due to the natural movement of rock masses extending from local faults.
He pointed out that the physical mechanism of the tremor is the result of the accumulation of geological pressures and stresses within the rock formations on both sides of the fault, and when it reaches a certain point, that stored energy is suddenly released, sending seismic waves that result in the population feeling the tremor, stressing that this activity does not warrant any kind of concern.
The head of the earthquakes department stressed that the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics continues to monitor and follow all seismic developments and activities throughout the Egyptian territories through the devices of the national observation network, to determine all the geophysical characteristics of the tremors as soon as they occur, and to inform the competent authorities of the accurate data first and foremost.
