The small quake struck an area south of Musandam, Oman. EPA
The small quake struck an area south of Musandam, Oman. EPA
The small quake struck an area south of Musandam, Oman. EPA
The small quake struck an area south of Musandam, Oman. EPA

Minor tremor strikes Omani peninsula near UAE, hours after larger Iranian quake


Gillian Duncan
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A minor earthquake struck near Musandam early on Saturday, hours after a larger tremor hit southern Iran.

The 2.5-magnitude quake hit an area south of the Omani peninsula, about 30km north of the UAE, at 5.35am, said the National Centre of Meteorology.

A 4.2-magnitude quake was also recorded in the south of Iran at 10.52pm on Friday evening, it said.

There was no effect in the Emirates.

Last week tremors were felt in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates after two earthquakes rocked Iran in the space of a minute on November 14.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in southern Iran at 4.07pm, followed by one measuring 6.7, the NCM said.

There have been 10 smaller earthquakes since, according to NCM, all in roughly the same area.

The UAE occasionally experiences tremors from powerful earthquakes in Iran, which is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.

It is crossed by several major faults that cover at least 90 per cent of the country, making earthquakes there common and often destructive.

Since 1900, at least 126,000 people have died in Iran as a result of earthquakes.

The UAE, which sits on the edge of the Arabian tectonic plate, only experiences minor to moderate tremors. The Northern Emirates is the most seismically active area.

Dibba, Fujairah, which sits on an active fault line that crosses into Oman, experiences small to medium quakes up to the magnitude of 4 to 5.5, according to a seismic hazard assessment survey carried out by UAE authorities.

In 2002, Masafi in Fujairah experienced a 5-magnitude quake, the largest to affect the UAE in recent years.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: November 20, 2021, 12:13 PM