A series of earthquakes in Ethiopia has prompted fears regarding the stability of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Experts from Sudan affirm the dam’s structural resilience, noting its significant distance from recent seismic activity, while urging for continued scientific evaluation of the GERD’s environmental effects.
Recent seismic events in the Afar region of Ethiopia have raised concerns regarding the stability of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the potential impact on neighboring Sudan. However, Sudanese geoscientists have sought to alleviate these concerns, indicating that the epicenter of the latest 8.1 magnitude quake was located over 500 kilometers from the dam. The GERD was designed with earthquake resilience in mind, suggesting that the dam can withstand significant seismic activity.
The series of earthquakes began with a 5.5 magnitude quake on Friday, followed by a 5.8 magnitude tremor on Saturday, leading to a total of over 30 aftershocks in the past week. This activity prompted the evacuation of more than 80,000 individuals from the affected areas. In light of these developments, engineers like Abdelkarim El Amin emphasized that the dam’s location is well outside of the active seismic zones recently affected by these earthquakes.
El Amin reassured stakeholders that the GERD was engineered to endure seismic pressures and that the design accounts for the possibility of earthquakes while filled to capacity. Concerns regarding the low water levels in the reservoir, which some speculate could be linked to leaks attributed to seismic activity, were deemed unlikely by El Amin, who noted, “the area where the GERD is built is far from the earthquake zone in eastern Ethiopia.”
He further mentioned that despite the GERD’s influence on the surrounding environment and the Nile Basin, its threats primarily revolve around geopolitical rather than structural issues. El Amin outlines a worst-case scenario where failure, even partial, of the dam due to seismic disturbances could severely impact the low-lying areas of Sudan, potentially flooding significant regions along the Nile. Consequently, he advocates for a comprehensive investigation involving scientific experts to evaluate the GERD’s environmental effects in a systematic manner devoid of political bias.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), positioned on the Blue Nile, has been a focal point of tension between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. The dam is crucial for Ethiopia’s energy infrastructures, yet its construction has elicited apprehensions from downstream countries about water management and potential flooding risks. Recent seismic activity in Ethiopia has reignited debates about the dam’s safety and its implications for the region, particularly with earthquakes being a significant geological concern. Understanding the dynamics of these earthquakes and their distance from the GERD is essential for assessing potential risks.
In summation, recent seismic activity in Ethiopia has led to widespread concern regarding the safety of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. However, expert assessments indicate that the dam is sufficiently distanced from the earthquake’s epicenter and appropriately engineered to resist seismic disturbances. The need for further scientific inquiry into the environmental impacts of the GERD has been emphasized to ensure a balanced approach that considers both engineering safety and geopolitical implications.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
