The Pharaohs recorded earthquakes and their destructive effects. They considered them “God’s Hammer”. They even had ways to predict earthquakes through what they called a “Well Observatory,” whereby they would study changes that occur on the water's surface of the well.
There have been 31 major earthquakes since the 19th century BC according to the Al-Hayat, Al Ahram and Asharq Al-Awsat newspapers, the last of which was felt in Cairo on Saturday. It had a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale.
Egypt was hit by a devastating earthquake in the 19th century BC that affected the Siwa Oasis in the west to the villages of the south.
Another major earthquake took place during the Middle Kingdom that affected the Karnak area, the Nuba and the Red Sea border. It has cracked the Amenhotep III temple, his two statues and the statue of Queen Tiye.
A third earthquake took place during the 12th Dynasty when Egypt’s first artificial lake, Lake Qarun, was formed. It was caused when the lake was filled with water, causing increasing pressure on the ground. The same happened when the High Dam’s artificial lake was filled.
A most famous earthquake recorded in the history of ancient Egypt was the massive earthquake that struck Alexandria and caused the sinking of parts of the city in the Mediterranean sea, including the Isis Temple.
Another devastating earthquake took place in the 5th century BC, hitting many Mediterranean historical cities. Scientists attributed it to a rise in sea water levels.
In 600 BC, Egypt also suffered a massive and violent earthquake.
In 27 BC, in the late Ptolemaic era, and in 967 AD, violent earthquakes hit Egypt, leaving behind many damages.
In 1847, an earthquake hit Fayoum. It was one of the most powerful earthquakes experienced there.
In 1849, a powerful earthquake hit Egypt that left hundreds dead and wounded.
In 1903, Egypt was hit by an earthquake that was the strongest of the last century, killing 10,000 people.
On March 31, 1969, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the island of Shedwan in the Red Sea. It was felt in the rest of Egypt and in Sudan, Ethiopia and Palestine, but left no casualties.
On April 29, 1974, a 4.9 earthquake hit Abu Hammad in Sharkiya.
In 1981, a 5.6 earthquake took place south of the High Dam. It was followed by another one, but the dam was not affected.
Between 1983 and 1987, several earthquakes took place in Ismailia, Suez, Port Said, Sharqiya and Sinai, with an average magnitude of 4.1 on the Richter scale, and causing minor injuries.
An earthquake took place on October 12, 1992, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, killing 541 people and injuring 6,522 others. It destroyed 398 buildings and left 8,000 other buildings threatened with collapse.
On November 22, 1995, the largest earthquake in Egypt’s modern history measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. It hit the city of Nuweiba on the Red Sea, killing five people and wounding dozens of others. It was felt in North Africa, Spain and Turkey.
On May 11, 1997, a 4.8 earthquake hit Sharm el-Sheikh and the entire south of Sinai but caused no casualties.
On January 13, 1997, a 5.9 earthquake hit Cairo.
In May 1999, a 5.3 earthquake hit Qena, on October 12 of the same year, a 5.2 earthquake hit Cairo, and on December 28, a 4.8earthquake hit Sharqiya.
On June 12, 2001, a 4.9 earthquake hit Cairo, followed by another one with a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale on June 23.
Several earthquakes hit Egypt in 2002, 2004 and 2006, in the southeast of the Mediterranean, but did not cause casualties.
In December 2010 and December 2011, Aswan was respectively hit by a 4.6 and a 4.2 earthquake.
On October 12, 2013, a 6.2 earthquake struck the Mediterranean region. It was felt in Cairo and the Delta.
On July 18, 2014, a 4.2 earthquake hit Suez.
And on July 22, 2014, a 4.7 earthquake hit Suez again. It was felt in Cairo and Ismailia.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
