Oman Meteorology says the earthquake struck at 6.11pm at a depth of 77km with no tsunami threat to the country’s coastline

Dubai: Oman Meteorology has ruled out any tsunami threat after a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck east of the Gulf of Aden on Thursday evening.

The earthquake was recorded at 6.11pm Oman time at a depth of 77 kilometres according to Oman’s authority. Officials said the tremor did not pose a threat of tsunami waves along Oman’s coastline.

The country’s National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre continuously monitors activity and potential tsunami threats across the Arabian Sea and surrounding areas.

How Oman monitors tsunami risks

The early warning centre was established following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. It uses monitoring systems to track earthquakes, sea-level changes and other hazards that could potentially affect Oman.

Authorities can issue warnings to government agencies and the public when seismic activity indicates a threat.

While earthquakes occurring beneath or close to the ocean can generate tsunamis Oman Meteorology noted that not every undersea earthquake produces waves.

Thursday’s earthquake did not trigger a tsunami warning the authority confirmed.

Why Oman watches activity closely

Oman’s Arabian Sea coastline is considered vulnerable to tsunami hazards because of seismic activity across the wider region.

One of the areas closely monitored by authorities is the Makran Subduction Zone, located off the coasts of Iran and Pakistan. The geological zone is capable of generating earthquakes and tsunamis and is regarded as a potential source of tsunami risk for Oman and neighbouring countries.

The latest tremor however was not considered strong or shallow enough to create a tsunami threat for Oman.

Residents and visitors along Oman’s coastline were therefore not required to take any tsunami-related measures following Thursday’s earthquake.

Oman’s monitoring authorities continue to track activity across the region as part of the country’s broader disaster preparedness and early warning system.

For now officials have reassured the public that there is no tsunami threat to Oman’s coastline, from the 4.9-magnitude Gulf of Aden earthquake.