VZCZCXRO9240
OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHJI #0174 1401533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201533Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1323
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8344
RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN PRIORITY 0041
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0306
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0389
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0138
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 4528
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2729

UNCLAS JEDDAH 000174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARP, CA, DS/IP/NEA, OES; PLEASE PASS TO US 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PGOV SA
SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN WESTERN SAUDI ARABIA: 
CURRENT SITUATION OUTSIDE AFFECTED AREAS NORMAL 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY. For the past several days, but especially 
today in newspaper headlines, local media have reported 
aftershocks and tremors in northwestern Saudi Arabia in the 
area near the village of Al Ais, 200 km northwest of Medina. 
Medina and Yanbu are about 400 km north of the major Red Sea 
city of Jeddah, approximately four hours away by road. 
Tremors ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 on the Richter scale have 
been measured.  An American engineer in Yanbu reports no 
signs of damage at or disruption to the large Yanbu 
Industrial Complex and petrochemical facilities.  No tremors 
have been felt in the area of Jeddah or Mecca and the 
situation in most of the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is 
completely normal.  No injuries or deaths have been reported. 
 Post has been in contact with wardens in Yanbu and Medina. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) Earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 5.9 in magnitude on 
the Richter scale are reported to have taken place in 
northwestern Saudi Arabia in recent days, leading to the 
evacuation of villages around the Al-Ais volcano (dormant but 
perhaps awakening, last said to have erupted 620 years ago). 
Al Ais is a village located 200 km northwest of Medina. 
Local blogs are speculating that the quakes may be precursors 
to volcanic activity.  As many as 60,000 people are reported 
to have been affected by the seismic activity, many reported 
to be sheltering with friends and family or in apartments and 
temporary housing provided by Saudi authorities.  Civil 
Defense authorities have ordered families in the Al Ais area 
to relocate to hotels, paying each family SAR 7,350 (USD 
approx 2,000).  A Saudi Geological Survey Team is reported to 
have detected a large crack in the earth at Harrah Al Sharqah 
and opened a quake detection station on the site. 
 
¶3. (U)  According to a Ministry of Interior colonel, Saudi 
Civil Defense authorities have warned residents of Al-Ais and 
surrounding villages to avoid areas where smoke is seen to be 
coming out of the ground since "such areas are more likely to 
see volcanic eruptions," with "rumblings and pungent smells" 
also said to be indications of possible eruptions. 
 
¶4. (U) In a still unconfirmed report, roads in the city of 
Medina are said to be currently choked with people leaving 
for open areas and gardens.  There have also been reports of 
people fainting.  Medina Governor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed 
is reported to have ordered officials to do everything 
necessary to ensure the safety and well being of residents. 
Residents of affected areas hvae been urged to seek shelter 
in Medina or Yanbu. 
 
¶5. (U) COMMENT: Situation is normal in Jeddah and surrounding 
areas and also in Yanbu, but post will continue to monitor 
and report developments.  Senior MFA contact confirms that 
there have been no injuries or deaths in the area of the 
quakes and that aside from the Al-Ais region, the situation 
elsewhere in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia is normal. 
END COMMENT. 
 
 
 
 
QUINN