A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck south of Musandam, Oman, on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at about 16:40 local time (4:40pm), the National Seismic Network of the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) and regional media reported. The quake shallow, at roughly 5–10 km depth, sent light tremors through parts of the UAE, with residents in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and nearby emirates reporting they felt shaking.
What happened and where
A moderate Magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck the Gulf region on Tuesday, November 4, at 4:40 PM local time. The epicenter of the seismic event was located in the south of Musandam, the Omani exclave that forms the strategic tip of the Arabian Peninsula. According to the National Seismic Network of the UAE’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM), the quake was recorded at a relatively shallow depth of just 5 kilometers.This location, while technically outside the UAE’s mainland, is geographically vital and often a source of tremors felt across the Northern Emirates due to its proximity. The NCM’s continuous monitoring network successfully tracked and verified the event instantly.
UAE: Felt but no impact confirmed
While the earthquake originated in Oman’s Musandam region, its mild tremor wave traveled across the waters and was felt by residents in the UAE. Authorities swiftly confirmed the situation, assuring the public of complete safety.
- Areas That Felt Tremors: Residents took to social media to report feeling slight tremors, particularly in the northern Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Fujairah.
- Official Confirmation: The NCM was quick to clarify that despite the slight feeling, the earthquake had no measurable impact, damage, or casualties within the UAE. The country’s infrastructure is built to withstand such minor geological activity.
The official response emphasized staying calm and relying only on reports from the National Center of Meteorology, underscoring the preparedness of Gulf monitoring stations.
Why the gulf sometimes trembles
While the Arabian Peninsula itself is known for low seismic activity, the UAE and Northern Oman are situated near a geologically active boundary. The primary reason for these occasional tremors is the proximity of the Zagros Mountains.This active mountain range stretches through Iran and Iraq, marking the collision zone where the Arabian Tectonic Plate is slowly but surely pushing into the Eurasian Plate. Stronger quakes along the Zagros Mountains can send ripples hundreds of kilometers, creating the slight tremors sometimes felt in the UAE’s northern and eastern emirates, including Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. The latest 4.6 magnitude event is another example of this common, low-risk seismic connection in the Gulf area.
