United States Geological Survey

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen, USGS says; quake rare and significant for region

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen early Friday, according to the USGS. The quake, occurring 145 kilometers off the Somali coast, was felt indoors and is considered rare for the region, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Hiiraan Online Hiiraan Online28 August 2026 · 12:26 UTC
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A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen early Friday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 12:07 a.m. local time, approximately 145 kilometers off the Somali coast.

The USGS estimated the quake's intensity at IV on the Mercalli intensity scale, indicating that shaking could have been felt indoors, potentially awakening residents. At this intensity, dishes, windows, and doors may rattle, and heavy objects could be felt striking buildings.

Officials noted that earthquakes above magnitude 6.0 are uncommon in and around Somalia, making this event rare and significant for the region. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage, injuries, or deaths following the quake.2

Key Insight
“Officials said earthquakes above magnitude 6.0 are uncommon in and around Somalia, making this quake rare and significant for the region. The USGS reported the event, which struck between Somalia and Yemen, highlighting the seismic activity in the area.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
Hiiraan OnlineHiiraan Online
“A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Friday morning in the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.”
Hiiraan Online →
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