Iranian earthquake tremor hits Dubai

Some eye witnesses reported sensing a definite tremor for one minute, although others told AME Info they had not felt anything.

UAE authorities are now said to be contacting the US Geological Survey for details of this seismic activity, which is already listed on the USGS website, www.earthquake.usgs.gov, under the section for recent activity (see address below). The website reported 65 responses from Dubai.

The earth tremor hit a triangular area between Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Dubai. This follows warnings from local UAE academics that earthquake faultlines in Iran could have serious implications for building stability in the UAE.

Seismic risk

Scientists such as Dr Azm Al-Homoud from the American University of Sharjah have been trying to educate engineers, governments and the construction industry about the risks. Today's incident is bound to prompt a more serious interest in their work.

However, high-rise buildings in the UAE all conform to international construction standards and are designed to withstand the sort of minor tremors reported today, although buildings are always thoroughly checked after such events to ensure their integrity.

The Dubai authorities are expected to move swiftly to reassure residents that there has been no damage to persons or property. The emirate is not believed to have had such a tremor in living memory, and clearly some people have been shaken.

Such tremors are common in many major cities of the world, but Dubai residents have not felt them before and will be looking for answers to the question of likely future seismic activity in the emirate. But there appears no reason for alarm, as the earthquake was in Iran.