Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JEDDAH174
2009-05-20 15:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:
EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA:
how-toVZCZCXRO9240 OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHJI #0174 1401533 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201533Z MAY 09 FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1323 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8344 RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN PRIORITY 0041 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0306 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0389 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0138 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 4528 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2729
UNCLAS JEDDAH 000174
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, CA, DS/IP/NEA, OES; PLEASE PASS TO US
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PGOV SA
SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA:
CURRENT SITUATION OUTSIDE AFFECTED AREAS NORMAL
UNCLAS JEDDAH 000174
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, CA, DS/IP/NEA, OES; PLEASE PASS TO US
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PGOV SA
SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA:
CURRENT SITUATION OUTSIDE AFFECTED AREAS NORMAL
1. (U) SUMMARY. For the past several days, but especially
today in newspaper headlines, local media have reported
aftershocks and tremors in northwestern Saudi Arabia in the
area near the village of Al Ais, 200 km northwest of Medina.
Medina and Yanbu are about 400 km north of the major Red Sea
city of Jeddah, approximately four hours away by road.
Tremors ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 on the Richter scale have
been measured. An American engineer in Yanbu reports no
signs of damage at or disruption to the large Yanbu
Industrial Complex and petrochemical facilities. No tremors
have been felt in the area of Jeddah or Mecca and the
situation in most of the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is
completely normal. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Post has been in contact with wardens in Yanbu and Medina.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) Earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 in magnitude on
the Richter scale are reported to have taken place in
northwestern Saudi Arabia in recent days, leading to the
evacuation of villages around the Al-Ais volcano (dormant but
perhaps awakening, last said to have erupted 620 years ago).
Al Ais is a village located 200 km northwest of Medina.
Local blogs are speculating that the quakes may be precursors
to volcanic activity. As many as 60,000 people are reported
to have been affected by the seismic activity, many reported
to be sheltering with friends and family or in apartments and
temporary housing provided by Saudi authorities. Civil
Defense authorities have ordered families in the Al Ais area
to relocate to hotels, paying each family SAR 7,350 (USD
approx 2,000). A Saudi Geological Survey Team is reported to
have detected a large crack in the earth at Harrah Al Sharqah
and opened a quake detection station on the site.
3. (U) According to a Ministry of Interior colonel, Saudi
Civil Defense authorities have warned residents of Al-Ais and
surrounding villages to avoid areas where smoke is seen to be
coming out of the ground since "such areas are more likely to
see volcanic eruptions," with "rumblings and pungent smells"
also said to be indications of possible eruptions.
4. (U) In a still unconfirmed report, roads in the city of
Medina are said to be currently choked with people leaving
for open areas and gardens. There have also been reports of
people fainting. Medina Governor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed
is reported to have ordered officials to do everything
necessary to ensure the safety and well being of residents.
Residents of affected areas hvae been urged to seek shelter
in Medina or Yanbu.
5. (U) COMMENT: Situation is normal in Jeddah and surrounding
areas and also in Yanbu, but post will continue to monitor
and report developments. Senior MFA contact confirms that
there have been no injuries or deaths in the area of the
quakes and that aside from the Al-Ais region, the situation
elsewhere in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is normal.
END COMMENT.
QUINN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, CA, DS/IP/NEA, OES; PLEASE PASS TO US
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PGOV SA
SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA:
CURRENT SITUATION OUTSIDE AFFECTED AREAS NORMAL
1. (U) SUMMARY. For the past several days, but especially
today in newspaper headlines, local media have reported
aftershocks and tremors in northwestern Saudi Arabia in the
area near the village of Al Ais, 200 km northwest of Medina.
Medina and Yanbu are about 400 km north of the major Red Sea
city of Jeddah, approximately four hours away by road.
Tremors ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 on the Richter scale have
been measured. An American engineer in Yanbu reports no
signs of damage at or disruption to the large Yanbu
Industrial Complex and petrochemical facilities. No tremors
have been felt in the area of Jeddah or Mecca and the
situation in most of the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is
completely normal. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Post has been in contact with wardens in Yanbu and Medina.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) Earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 in magnitude on
the Richter scale are reported to have taken place in
northwestern Saudi Arabia in recent days, leading to the
evacuation of villages around the Al-Ais volcano (dormant but
perhaps awakening, last said to have erupted 620 years ago).
Al Ais is a village located 200 km northwest of Medina.
Local blogs are speculating that the quakes may be precursors
to volcanic activity. As many as 60,000 people are reported
to have been affected by the seismic activity, many reported
to be sheltering with friends and family or in apartments and
temporary housing provided by Saudi authorities. Civil
Defense authorities have ordered families in the Al Ais area
to relocate to hotels, paying each family SAR 7,350 (USD
approx 2,000). A Saudi Geological Survey Team is reported to
have detected a large crack in the earth at Harrah Al Sharqah
and opened a quake detection station on the site.
3. (U) According to a Ministry of Interior colonel, Saudi
Civil Defense authorities have warned residents of Al-Ais and
surrounding villages to avoid areas where smoke is seen to be
coming out of the ground since "such areas are more likely to
see volcanic eruptions," with "rumblings and pungent smells"
also said to be indications of possible eruptions.
4. (U) In a still unconfirmed report, roads in the city of
Medina are said to be currently choked with people leaving
for open areas and gardens. There have also been reports of
people fainting. Medina Governor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed
is reported to have ordered officials to do everything
necessary to ensure the safety and well being of residents.
Residents of affected areas hvae been urged to seek shelter
in Medina or Yanbu.
5. (U) COMMENT: Situation is normal in Jeddah and surrounding
areas and also in Yanbu, but post will continue to monitor
and report developments. Senior MFA contact confirms that
there have been no injuries or deaths in the area of the
quakes and that aside from the Al-Ais region, the situation
elsewhere in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is normal.
END COMMENT.
QUINN