UAE is outside seismic belts: expert

The UAE is located outside seismic belts but residents could feel tremors because of its proximity to such quake-prone countries as Iran and Pakistan, a local expert was reported on Thursday as saying.

Dr Zain Rizq, dean of the environment, water and energy college in Ajman, said residents in some parts of the UAE felt the tremor that jolted Pakistan early Wednesday due to its proximity to quake-hit areas in that country.

“What UAE resident felt were the aftershocks of the tremor that hit Pakistan given its proximity to the affected areas,” he told the semi official daily Alittihad.

“The UAE is situated outside the seismic band as it is located in the Arabian Peninsula, which is considered a small tectonic plate that is surrounded by vulnerable and quake active areas such as Zagros Mountain in Iran.”

Rizq said the UAE’s eastern part, mainly Masafi, is the most vulnerable to such aftershocks as it’s the nearest area to Zagros Mountain, which stretches more than 1,500 km across northwestern Iran and Iraq.

Rizk urged the public not to spread rumors during such incidents, adding that the civil defence should also play a key part by “creating awareness among the public and preparing them for any emergency.”

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