Story perspectives

Gulf of Suez Rifting Persists, Raising Earthquake Risks

11/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Gulf of Suez continues to widen at about 0.02 inches per year, indicating ongoing rifting despite the belief it stopped 5 million years ago, per Geophysical Research Letters.
Lead author David Fernández-Blanco notes evidence from elevated coral reefs and small earthquakes indicates ongoing tectonic activity.
The findings imply greater earthquake susceptibility for the Gulf of Suez and call for further study of other regions once deemed inactive.

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Story summary

The Gulf of Suez continues to widen at about 0.02 inches per year, indicating ongoing rifting despite the belief it stopped 5 million years ago, per Geophysical Research Letters.
Lead author David Fernández-Blanco notes evidence from elevated coral reefs and small earthquakes indicates ongoing tectonic activity.
The findings imply greater earthquake susceptibility for the Gulf of Suez and call for further study of other regions once deemed inactive.