Eilat Rattled by Magnitude 5 Earthquake

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
JERUSALEM — An earthquake rattled the Sinai Peninsula and Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat.
The temblor struck very early Monday morning and measured about 5.0 on the Richter Scale. There were no reports of damage.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in the Red Sea, about 100 miles from Eilat.
It comes a month after a small earthquake was felt in southern Israel, including the Dead Sea.
More than a year ago, in July 2015, an earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter Scale and centered in the Dead Sea was felt in Israel. A month earlier, an earthquake reported to be between 5.1 and 5.5 magnitude was felt in southern Israel, with an epicenter in the Sinai Peninsula.
Hundreds of people died and were injured in a 6.2 magnitude quake in 1927 that centered on the Dead Sea.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
