Seismological Aspects of December 31, 2018, Cairo-Suez Event

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a shallow earthquake near Cairo on December 31, 2018, examining its seismological characteristics, fault mechanism, and tectonic implications in the context of regional geological processes.

Contribution

It provides detailed seismological analysis and source parameters for the 2018 Cairo earthquake, linking it to regional fault systems and tectonic activity.

Findings

Event was felt up to 50 km away with intensity IV.

Focal mechanism indicates normal faulting with strike-slip component.

Source parameters align with intraplate earthquake characteristics.

Abstract

On 31 December 2018 at 10:36:34 UTC shallow earthquake of ML=4.3 took place 25 Km east of Cairo and in the vicinity of the under-construction new Capital city of Egypt (Fig.1). The event was interesting as it was felt with intensity IV up to 50 Km epicentral distance with relatively small magnitude Mw=3.8. the focal mechanism of the event showed Normal faulting with a slight component of strike-slip movement which is in good agreement with the tectonic regime of the area and estimated source parameters are found to be in agreement with intraplate earthquakes. These results could support that the event is triggered by the Pre-Tertiary E-W faults as an on land continuation of the Gulf of Suez extensional process.