A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Gulf of Aden on Monday evening, about 451 kilometres south-west of Salalah in Oman. There were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or disruption, according to Gulf News.
Earthquake Strikes Offshore Near Salalah
The Earthquake Monitoring Center at Sultan Qaboos University recorded the tremor at 9.38pm local time on 28 September, at a depth of about 10 kilometres. The centre’s map placed the epicentre offshore, well south of Oman’s Dhofar region.
Recent Tremors Have Been Recorded South Of Oman
It is the latest in a run of tremors in the waters south of Oman. In July, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Arabian Sea, roughly 239 kilometres south of Salalah, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties. In another recent episode, Gulf News reported that Oman’s meteorological authority ruled out any tsunami threat to the country’s coastline after a 4.9-magnitude quake in the Gulf of Aden.
Further afield, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake was recorded in the Gulf of Aden near the Somali coast on 28 August, according to VolcanoDiscovery, which tracks global seismic activity. It was the strongest quake recorded there so far in 2026, the tracker says.
Why The Gulf Of Aden Sees Regular Tremors
Monitoring data shows why these headlines keep appearing. VolcanoDiscovery says the Gulf of Aden sees around 42 earthquakes a year on average and has recorded at least 20 above magnitude 6 since 1900. Oman itself has very few earthquakes, and most are below magnitude 3.
What Does This Mean For Residents?
So what does this mean for residents? The latest report mentions no impact on land, and no damage, injuries or disruption have been reported. The epicentre was recorded offshore, well south of Dhofar, which is why the reading matters more to seismic monitors than to anyone on the Omani coast.
If you live in Dhofar or are planning a trip to Salalah, there is no change to make for now. Any official advice would come through Oman’s authorities, so keep an eye on their official channels and on fresh updates from the Earthquake Monitoring Center at Sultan Qaboos University.
Also Read: Minor Earthquake In Oman To Dubai’s Rapid Traffic Improvements; 5 GCC Updates For You
Earthquakes Have Also Been Felt In Oman And The UAE
Tremors are occasionally felt closer to home, too. In November 2025, the National Centre of Meteorology confirmed a 4.6-magnitude earthquake in southern Musandam at a depth of 5 kilometres. It was felt across the UAE, though authorities said there were no casualties and no impact on infrastructure.
For now, the Gulf of Aden reading is a reminder that the seas south of Oman stay seismically active, even when the effects never reach the coast.
FAQs
How strong was the Gulf of Aden earthquake?
It measured 4.5 in magnitude at a depth of about 10 km, recorded at 9.38pm local time on 28 September.
Where was the epicentre?
Offshore in the Gulf of Aden, about 451 km south-west of Salalah, Oman.
Was there any damage?
There were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or disruption.
